Walking Program for Parkinson's Disease

((10KSC) Trial)

Overseen By Merrill R Landers, DPT, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Disqualifiers: Heart problems, Uncontrolled blood pressure, Dementia, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 6 months

60 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to explore the benefits of a community walking program for people with Parkinson's disease and their caregivers. Participants will join weekly group walks using Nordic walking poles in local parks around Las Vegas, aiming for 10,000 steps a day. The goal is to encourage participants to leave their homes, connect with others, and engage in regular exercise. Ideal participants are those diagnosed with Parkinson's by a neurologist and who can walk independently, with or without a walking aid. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to enhance health and well-being through social and physical activity.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this walking program with Nordic poles is safe for people with Parkinson's disease?

Research has shown that Nordic walking, which uses special poles, is safe for people with Parkinson's disease. It improves balance, walking ability, and overall quality of life. Studies have found that joining Nordic walking groups in the community is both feasible and beneficial. Participants in these programs have not reported major negative effects. Overall, Nordic walking is manageable and offers many health benefits, such as improved heart health and increased exercise capacity. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the community walking program for Parkinson's disease because it introduces a simple, non-medication-based approach to managing symptoms. Unlike traditional treatments that often rely on medications to improve motor function, this program uses Nordic walking poles to enhance stability and balance during physical activity. By focusing on regular, structured exercise in a community setting, this program aims to improve mobility and overall quality of life for participants in a natural and engaging way.

What evidence suggests that this walking program is effective for Parkinson's disease?

Research has shown that Nordic walking, which involves using poles, can help people with Parkinson's disease walk better, improve their balance, and enhance their quality of life. Studies have found that it helps individuals stay stable, maintain good posture, and move their whole body. A detailed review found that Nordic walking effectively aids recovery for people with Parkinson's. It is considered safe and beneficial when done in community settings. This trial will evaluate the effects of a community walking program with Nordic poles, where participants will engage in one hour of walking per week for six months. These findings suggest that joining such a program could be a useful way for people with Parkinson's to manage their symptoms. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for people with Parkinson's Disease in Las Vegas, along with their caregivers. Participants should be able to walk and commit to a 6-month walking program using Nordic poles. There are no specific exclusion criteria provided, but typically those unable to meet the physical demands or follow the program may not qualify.

Inclusion Criteria

Willing to participate in a 6-month study

I am between 30 and 85 years old.

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

Exclusion Criteria

Dementia (determined by completing the Montreal Cognitive Assessment)

I have difficulty walking, as shown in my Timed Up and Go Test results.

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

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in a 6-month community walking program using Nordic walking poles, meeting once per week for a 60-minute walk at local parks.

6 months

Weekly visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the walking program, including assessments of social isolation, fear of falling, and daily step count.

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Community Walking Program with Nordic Walking Poles

Trial Overview

The '10,000 Step Club' tests whether a community walking program can help people with Parkinson's Disease (PwP). It involves weekly walks in local parks using Nordic walking poles, supervised by group leaders. Participants will also track their steps daily aiming for 10,000 steps.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: One hour per week of community walking for 6 months Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will participate in one, 60-minute group walk using Nordic poles at a local community park. Participants will be assessed before and after the 6-month program.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Lead Sponsor

Trials

81

Recruited

14,700+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A 6-week Nordic Walking (NW) program significantly improved motor function in Parkinson's disease patients more than standard rehabilitation, with a greater reduction in Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale scores (8.5 vs. 6.0 points).

NW also enhanced gait quality and balance control, showing improvements in the Dynamic Gait Index and quality of life, as measured by the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire, indicating it is an effective and cost-effective alternative to traditional rehabilitation methods.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of 6-Week Nordic Walking Training on Functional Performance, Gait Quality, and Quality of Life in Parkinson's Disease. Szefler-Derela, J., Arkuszewski, M., Knapik, A., et al.[2021]

A 6-week study involving 12 participants with Parkinson's disease showed that Nordic walking (NW) significantly improved knee power and gait patterns compared to walking without poles.

Participants using NW exhibited longer stride lengths and increased single support time, indicating that this activity could help individuals with Parkinson's disease achieve a more functional and stable walking pattern.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nordic Walking Improves Gait Power Profiles at the Knee Joint in Parkinson's Disease. Zhou, L., Gougeon, MA., Nantel, J.[2019]

A review of nine studies, including four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 127 Parkinson's disease patients, indicated that Nordic Walking may have beneficial effects on motor and non-motor symptoms, although the evidence is not definitive due to study limitations.

The meta-analysis showed a statistically significant reduction in the UPDRS-3 score, but the change was less than 1 point, which is not considered clinically meaningful, highlighting the need for larger, well-designed RCTs to better assess the efficacy of Nordic Walking in Parkinson's disease.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Walking on four limbs: A systematic review of Nordic Walking in Parkinson disease. Bombieri, F., Schena, F., Pellegrini, B., et al.[2018]

In a study of 22 Parkinson's disease patients undergoing 12 weeks of Nordic walking training, only 18 were analyzed, and while overall motor scores did not significantly improve, 8 patients showed notable improvement in their motor function as measured by the UPDRS scale.

The study found that gait velocity and step length were key predictive factors for improvement, suggesting that patients with only slight gait impairments are more likely to benefit from Nordic walking training.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Gait velocity and step length at baseline predict outcome of Nordic walking training in patients with Parkinson's disease. Herfurth, M., Godau, J., Kattner, B., et al.[2019]

Nordic walking (NW) training over 15 sessions in 3 individuals with Parkinson's disease led to significant improvements in gait speed, walking distance, and motor symptoms, with participants showing retained benefits after 3 months.

Participants experienced a notable reduction in freezing episodes and falls, indicating that NW not only enhances physical function but may also improve safety and quality of life for those with Parkinson's disease.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nordic walking training in persons with Parkinson's disease: Individualized prescription-A case series. Harro, CC., Horak, I., Valley, K., et al.[2023]

Nordic walking (NW) appears to be a feasible and potentially effective exercise for improving functional and clinical outcomes in people with Parkinson disease, based on a systematic review of 6 randomized controlled trials involving 221 subjects.

However, due to high variability and methodological differences among the studies, it is unclear how NW compares to other exercise interventions, highlighting the need for more standardized research to determine its role in rehabilitation programs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nordic Walking for the Management of People With Parkinson Disease: A Systematic Review. Cugusi, L., Manca, A., Dragone, D., et al.[2022]

A 6-week Nordic walking program significantly improved mobility and quality of life in 19 patients with Parkinson's disease, with benefits observed immediately after training and maintained 5 months later.

The study reported excellent compliance and no adverse effects, suggesting that Nordic walking is a safe and effective exercise option for enhancing physical activity in individuals with Parkinson's disease.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nordic walking improves mobility in Parkinson's disease. van Eijkeren, FJ., Reijmers, RS., Kleinveld, MJ., et al.[2022]

Citations

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Community Walking Program for People with Parkinson's ...

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Community Walking Program for People with Parkinson's ...

Participants in the program will use Nordic walking poles to promote stability and upright posture, and to encourage full body movement and arm ...

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Nordic walking groups for people with Parkinson's disease ...

It is feasible, beneficial and safe to deliver rehabilitative Nordic walking groups for people with Parkinson's disease in a community setting.

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withpower.com

withpower.com/trial/phase-parkinson-disease-2-2025-35be9

Walking Program for Parkinson's Disease (ActivatePD Trial)

Research shows that Nordic Walking, which involves using poles, can improve walking ability, balance, and quality of life in people with Parkinson's Disease.

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pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35593147/

Effects of Nordic walking in people with Parkinson's disease

The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effectiveness of NW as a rehabilitation strategy for PD.

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ajpmonline.org/article/s0749-3797(12)00710-6/fulltext

Health Benefits of Nordic Walking: A Systematic Review

Nordic walking exerts beneficial effects on resting heart rate, blood pressure, exercise capacity, maximal oxygen consumption, and quality of life in patients ...