Community Walking Program for Parkinson's Disease

Overseen By Jason K Longhurst, DPT, PHD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: St. Louis University

Disqualifiers: Heart problems, Uncontrolled blood pressure, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 6 months

40 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on a walking program, so it's likely you can continue your medications, but you should confirm with the trial organizers.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Community Walking Program for Parkinson's Disease?

Community exercise programs, including walking, can help people with Parkinson's disease stay active and manage their health better. While these programs may not always meet all exercise goals, they can prevent physical decline and support long-term health management. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the Community Walking Program safe for people with Parkinson's disease?

There is limited information about the safety of community walking programs for Parkinson's disease, but community exercise programs often lack specific knowledge needed to ensure safe exercise for these patients. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

How does the Community Walking Program treatment for Parkinson's disease differ from other treatments?

The Community Walking Program is unique because it focuses on engaging people with Parkinson's disease in community-based exercise, which can help them actively participate in managing their health. Unlike traditional treatments, this program emphasizes personalized exercise goals and community involvement, potentially offering long-term benefits and increased exercise participation. ^{1 2 3 5 8}

What is the purpose of this trial?

This study will investigate the feasibility of a 6-month community walking program for people with Parkinson's disease (PD) and their care partners in greater Saint Louis, Missouri region. The walking program will consist of weekly, organized walking groups at the Missouri Botanical Gardens. Participants in the program will use Nordic walking poles during the walks. The walking group(s) will meet once per week and will be supervised by walking group leaders from Saint Louis University. Participants will be given a smart watch to wear that will help step counts will be tracked in real-time. The program is designed to get people with Parkinson's disease out of their homes, cultivate a culture of connection with others with Parkinson's disease, and to be collectively accountable for a common goal toward increasing their physical and social engagement in their communities.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for people with Parkinson's Disease living in the greater Saint Louis, Missouri area. Participants should be willing to join a walking group and use Nordic walking poles. They must also agree to wear a smart watch that tracks their steps.

Inclusion Criteria

Willing to participate in study for at least 6 months

I am between 30 and 85 years old.

I have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease by a neurologist.

Exclusion Criteria

I don't have health issues that stop me from exercising.

I have a neurological condition in addition to Parkinson's disease.

Evidence of significant cognitive impairment (determined by completing the Montreal Cognitive Assessment)

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in a community-based walking program using Nordic walking poles for 6 months

6 months

Weekly group walks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including fall reporting

6 months

Extension

Optional continuation of the walking program for an additional 6 months

6 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Community Walking Program

Trial Overview The study tests a 6-month community-based walking program at the Missouri Botanical Gardens for those with Parkinson's and their care partners. It includes weekly walks led by Saint Louis University staff, using Nordic poles, aiming to increase physical and social activity.

Participant Groups

Group I: Attend group community walking program for 60 minutes each week Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will participate in one, 60-minute group walk using Nordic poles at the Missouri Botanical Gardens for at least 6 months, with an optional continuation upto 12 months. Participants will be assessed before the program begins, after 6-months, and after 12 months. Falls will be prospectively collected for 6 months following completion of the program.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

St. Louis University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

197

Recruited

41,400+

Findings from Research

In a study of 69 individuals with Parkinson's disease, walking activity was found to significantly contribute to mobility within the home and neighborhood (Levels 1-3), indicating its importance for maintaining functional independence.

However, walking activity did not correlate with mobility beyond neighborhood limits (Levels 4-5), suggesting that increased walking does not necessarily lead to greater community mobility for those with Parkinson's disease.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Are Mobile Persons With Parkinson Disease Necessarily More Active? Zajac, JA., Cavanaugh, JT., Baker, T., et al.[2023]

Community exercise programs can enhance both motor and non-motor functions in individuals with Parkinson's disease, promoting active health management.

There is a need for more research on the long-term benefits, safety, and effective implementation of these exercise programs to optimize their use in personalized treatment plans for Parkinson's disease.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Community Exercise: A New Tool for Personalized Parkinson's Care or Just an Addition to Formal Care? Domingos, J., Dean, J., Fernandes, JB., et al.[2022]

In a study involving 24 participants with Parkinson's disease, none achieved the exercise dosage needed for optimal management of their condition, although 60% met the minimum dosage to prevent disuse deconditioning.

There was a mismatch between the goals of participants and instructors in community-based exercise programs, suggesting that these programs could be improved by better aligning exercise intensity with participant objectives.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The need for mapping personal goals to exercise dosage in community-based exercise programs for people with Parkinson's disease. Amateis, AL., Boesel, CL., Ehnert, BP., et al.[2020]

A study involving 20 participants with Parkinson disease showed that using a virtual exercise coach for daily walking resulted in a 100% retention rate and high satisfaction (5.6/7) over one month.

Participants demonstrated significant improvements in mobility, with increased gait speed and performance on the 6-minute walk test, while no adverse events were reported, indicating the intervention's safety and effectiveness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility of a virtual exercise coach to promote walking in community-dwelling persons with Parkinson disease. Ellis, T., Latham, NK., DeAngelis, TR., et al.[2022]

A community-based group exercise program for people with Parkinson's disease (PD) was found to be safe and feasible, with no reported injuries and moderate to high attendance rates (73%).

Participants showed significant improvements in grip strength and the 6-Minute Walk test after 10 weeks, indicating that such programs can be effective in enhancing certain physical functions in individuals with PD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Long-term group exercise for people with Parkinson's disease: a feasibility study. States, RA., Spierer, DK., Salem, Y.[2011]

A Parkinson's disease-specific boxing program was well-received by participants, with 81% of patients and 80% of instructors expressing high satisfaction after an initial workshop, indicating strong acceptability of the program.

After 18 months, the program successfully expanded from 10 to 40 participants, with only mild adverse effects reported, suggesting that the program is safe and beneficial for individuals with Parkinson's disease.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Implementation of a Community-Based Exercise Program for Parkinson Patients: Using Boxing as an Example. Domingos, J., Radder, D., Riggare, S., et al.[2020]

A 12-week treadmill walking training program significantly improved walking velocity and step length in Parkinson's disease patients, indicating its efficacy as a therapeutic intervention.

The study found that Parkinson's patients showed greater improvements in walking metrics compared to community-dwelling seniors, suggesting that tailored exercise programs can be beneficial for managing symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Training effects of a 12-week walking program on Parkinson disease patients and community-dwelling older adults. Cheng, SP., Yang, CY., Tang, FI., et al.[2019]

Exercise is crucial for improving the progression of Parkinson's disease, yet many individuals with PD are not physically active, highlighting a gap in healthcare delivery.

The community-based participatory research (CBPR) model engages people with PD as co-researchers to develop and implement exercise programs, which could enhance participation and effectiveness of physical activity interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Promoting exercise in Parkinson's disease through community-based participatory research. Hirsch, MA., Iyer, SS., Englert, D., et al.[2021]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Are Mobile Persons With Parkinson Disease Necessarily More Active? [2023]

2. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Community Exercise: A New Tool for Personalized Parkinson's Care or Just an Addition to Formal Care? [2022]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The need for mapping personal goals to exercise dosage in community-based exercise programs for people with Parkinson's disease. [2020]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility of a virtual exercise coach to promote walking in community-dwelling persons with Parkinson disease. [2022]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Long-term group exercise for people with Parkinson's disease: a feasibility study. [2011]

6. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Implementation of a Community-Based Exercise Program for Parkinson Patients: Using Boxing as an Example. [2020]

7. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Training effects of a 12-week walking program on Parkinson disease patients and community-dwelling older adults. [2019]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Promoting exercise in Parkinson's disease through community-based participatory research. [2021]