Walking Program for Parkinson's Disease

Overseen By Tiffany Salido, PT, DPT, PhD

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: East Tennessee State University

Disqualifiers: Stroke, Dementia, Multiple sclerosis, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 5

40 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

Study Purpose: The purpose of the study is to compare changes in walking in people with Parkinson disease after an 8-week independent walking program with or without using walking poles.

Major parts of the Study:

Before the walking program: Measurements will be taken of you while you are walking. You will be given tests and questionnaires about your movement and thinking. You will be trained on how to use walking poles.

Independent walking program: You will be asked to walk at least 3 times each week for 8 weeks and keep a log of your walking. If you are in the walking pole group, you will walk with the poles. After the walking program: Your walking, movement, and thinking measurements will be collected as before the walking program.

Follow-up: The same measures of walking, movement, and thinking will be taken 3-months after ending the walking program.

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

Inclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

I can walk safely on my own, with or without a cane.

English-speaking

Exclusion Criteria

My weight is over 320 pounds or my height is over 6 feet 4 inches.

I will not be unable to walk for more than 7 days in a row during the study.

I do not have any neurological disease other than Parkinson's.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Initial Assessment and Training

Participants undergo initial assessments and are trained on the use of walking poles

2 weeks

2 visits (in-person)

Independent Walking Program

Participants engage in an 8-week walking program with or without poles, logging their activity

8 weeks

Weekly check-ins (email/phone)

Post-Program Assessment

Participants return for reassessment of walking, movement, and cognitive measures

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in walking, movement, and cognitive measures 3 months after the program

3 months

1 visit (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Independent Walking Program without Walking Poles
• Independent Walking Program with Walking Poles

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Walking Poles Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants who will be using walking poles during the independent walking program

Group II: No Walking Poles Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants who will not be using walking poles during the independent walking program

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

East Tennessee State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

23

Recruited

3,000+