Aerobic Exercise for Parkinson's Disease
(PDex Trial)
Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?
The purpose of this study is to explore the relationships of exercise on inflammation in the body of older adults and people with Parkinson's disease (PD). This is important research for older adults but is especially important for people with PD because neuroinflammation is the main pathological mechanism that is responsible for neuron cell death in this neurodegenerative disease. As PD is a progressive disease, halting or slowing the degeneration is an important research target. Halting or slowing the disease progress is known as neuroprotection. Exercise is an attractive therapeutic treatment for people with PD as it has a lot of multi-systemic benefits, but also there is a lot of evidence to suggest that it helps improve symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. Exercise has been theorized to decrease inflammation and, therefore, has a lot of promise as a neuroprotective agent in slowing or halting the degeneration in PD. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of research that has looked into the effect of exercise on the biological processes of inflammation. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate the biological evidence that underlies the positive effect of exercise in people with PD.
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 is best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Aerobic Exercise for Parkinson's Disease?
Is aerobic exercise safe for people with Parkinson's disease?
How does aerobic exercise as a treatment for Parkinson's disease differ from other treatments?
Aerobic exercise is unique for Parkinson's disease as it focuses on improving physical fitness and motor symptoms through continuous movement of large muscles, unlike traditional drug treatments that primarily address symptoms. It may also slow disease progression and improve movement initiation, offering benefits similar to those seen in the general population.24569
Research Team
Merrill Landers, DPT, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for people aged 30-85 with Parkinson's disease who can do 30 minutes of moderate exercise with short breaks, and healthy adults in the same age range. It excludes those with conditions like heart issues or uncontrolled blood pressure that prevent safe exercise, and those with dementia as indicated by a low score on a cognitive assessment.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Baseline Assessment
Baseline measurement of blood serum levels of various biomarkers
Exercise Intervention
Participants undergo 30 minutes of aerobic exercise at different intensities to assess changes in biomarkers
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in biomarkers and overall health
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Aerobic exercise
Aerobic exercise is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada for the following indications:
- Rehabilitation after stroke
- Improvement of physical function
- Enhancement of cognitive function
- Reduction of depression
- Cardiovascular rehabilitation
- Improvement of physical function
- Enhancement of cognitive function
- Rehabilitation after stroke
- Improvement of physical function
- Enhancement of cognitive function
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Lead Sponsor