A Multifactorial Exercise Program to Reduce Falls in People With Parkinson Disease

NCT ID: NCT02302144

Last Updated: 2017-07-19

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

32 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2011-12-31

Study Completion Date

2013-06-30

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

The primary objective of this study is to investigate the effects of a theoretically driven, highly challenging exercise program (balance and strengthening exercises) in reducing fall rate, improving balance and reducing fear of falling in persons with Parkinson's disease.

In this pilot, randomized, cross-over study, 32 participants with Parkinson disease will be randomly assigned to either an early start (immediately following enrollment) or late start (3 months after enrollment) multifactorial exercise program which will meet 2 times per week for 1.5 hours over 3 months. The exercise program will consist of balance and strengthening exercises which will be individualized depending on the ability of each participant. Fall rate, balance, walking ability, fear of falling, mood, anxiety, and quality of life will be measured prior to the start, at 3 months and 6 months after enrollment. Subjects will be enrolled for 6-7 months.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Parkinson Disease

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

CROSSOVER

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Early Multi-Ex-PD

Immediately following enrollment, subjects will participate in a group balance and strengthening program (Multi-Ex-PD) 2x/week for 90 minutes over 3 months within the Center for Neurorehabilitation at Sargent College. Each of the exercises consists of a progression which ranges from less challenging to more challenging. The program will be individualized to the subject to appropriately match their abilities. Each subject will be progressed to a more challenging exercise once specific criteria are met. Resistance for the strengthening exercises will be applied using weighted vests.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Balance & Strengthening Exercises

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Progressive balance and strengthening exercises conducted in a group format yet tailored to each individual

Late Multi-Ex-PD

Three months after enrollment, subjects will participate in a group balance and strengthening program (Multi-Ex-PD) 2x/week for 90 minutes over 3 months within the Center for Neurorehabilitation at Sargent College. Each of the exercises consists of a progression which ranges from less challenging to more challenging. The program will be individualized to the subject to appropriately match their abilities. Each subject will be progressed to a more challenging exercise once specific criteria are met. Resistance for the strengthening exercises will be applied using weighted vests.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Balance & Strengthening Exercises

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Progressive balance and strengthening exercises conducted in a group format yet tailored to each individual

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Balance & Strengthening Exercises

Progressive balance and strengthening exercises conducted in a group format yet tailored to each individual

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* have a diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (using UK Brain Bank Criteria)
* have a Hoehn \& Yahr stage of 2-4 during the "ON" state
* Mini mental status score \> 26
* be 40 years of age or older, so as to represent the typical age range of PD
* be on a stable dose of Parkinson's medications for at least 2 weeks prior to study onset and during the 3 month study period.
* have experienced at least one fall in the past 3 months and greater or equal to 2 falls in the past one-year (A fall was defined as an unexpected event where the person inadvertently came to rest on the ground or other lower level not due to a major intrinsic or extrinsic event)
* able to walk without physical assistance or an assistive device for at least 5 continuous minutes
* able to understand, communicate with and be understood by recruitment personnel
* able to attend the exercise program twice per week at Sargent College
* be interested in participating and provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

* have a diagnosis of atypical Parkinsonism
* have a Hoehn \& Yahr stage of 1 or 5
* have had previous surgical management of PD (i.e., deep brain stimulation surgery; pallidotomy)
* serious co-morbidities that may interfere with ability to participate in an exercise program (i.e., musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and neurological (other than Parkinson's))
* be pregnant
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

Boston University Charles River Campus

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Theresa D Ellis

Assistant Professor and Director of Center for Neurorehabilitation

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Learn about the lead researchers overseeing the trial and their institutional affiliations.

Terry Ellis, PhD, PT, NCS

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Boston University

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

Center for Neurorehabilitation, College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, Sargent College, Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Site Status

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

United States

References

Explore related publications, articles, or registry entries linked to this study.

Gillespie LD, Robertson MC, Gillespie WJ, Lamb SE, Gates S, Cumming RG, Rowe BH. Interventions for preventing falls in older people living in the community. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009 Apr 15;(2):CD007146. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007146.pub2.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 19370674 (View on PubMed)

Wood BH, Bilclough JA, Bowron A, Walker RW. Incidence and prediction of falls in Parkinson's disease: a prospective multidisciplinary study. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2002 Jun;72(6):721-5. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.72.6.721.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 12023412 (View on PubMed)

Genever RW, Downes TW, Medcalf P. Fracture rates in Parkinson's disease compared with age- and gender-matched controls: a retrospective cohort study. Age Ageing. 2005 Jan;34(1):21-4. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afh203.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 15591480 (View on PubMed)

Melton LJ 3rd, Leibson CL, Achenbach SJ, Bower JH, Maraganore DM, Oberg AL, Rocca WA. Fracture risk after the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease: Influence of concomitant dementia. Mov Disord. 2006 Sep;21(9):1361-7. doi: 10.1002/mds.20946.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 16703587 (View on PubMed)

Johnell O, Melton LJ 3rd, Atkinson EJ, O'Fallon WM, Kurland LT. Fracture risk in patients with parkinsonism: a population-based study in Olmsted County, Minnesota. Age Ageing. 1992 Jan;21(1):32-8. doi: 10.1093/ageing/21.1.32.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 1553857 (View on PubMed)

Temlett JA, Thompson PD. Reasons for admission to hospital for Parkinson's disease. Intern Med J. 2006 Aug;36(8):524-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1445-5994.2006.01123.x.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 16866658 (View on PubMed)

Hely MA, Morris JG, Traficante R, Reid WG, O'Sullivan DJ, Williamson PM. The sydney multicentre study of Parkinson's disease: progression and mortality at 10 years. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1999 Sep;67(3):300-7. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.67.3.300.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 10449550 (View on PubMed)

Spottke AE, Reuter M, Machat O, Bornschein B, von Campenhausen S, Berger K, Koehne-Volland R, Rieke J, Simonow A, Brandstaedter D, Siebert U, Oertel WH, Ulm G, Dodel R. Cost of illness and its predictors for Parkinson's disease in Germany. Pharmacoeconomics. 2005;23(8):817-36. doi: 10.2165/00019053-200523080-00007.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 16097843 (View on PubMed)

Jacobs JV, Horak FB. Cortical control of postural responses. J Neural Transm (Vienna). 2007;114(10):1339-48. doi: 10.1007/s00702-007-0657-0. Epub 2007 Mar 29.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 17393068 (View on PubMed)

Bloem BR, Beckley DJ, van Dijk JG, Zwinderman AH, Remler MP, Roos RA. Influence of dopaminergic medication on automatic postural responses and balance impairment in Parkinson's disease. Mov Disord. 1996 Sep;11(5):509-21. doi: 10.1002/mds.870110506.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 8866492 (View on PubMed)

Chang JT, Morton SC, Rubenstein LZ, Mojica WA, Maglione M, Suttorp MJ, Roth EA, Shekelle PG. Interventions for the prevention of falls in older adults: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials. BMJ. 2004 Mar 20;328(7441):680. doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7441.680.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 15031239 (View on PubMed)

Tinetti ME, Baker DI, McAvay G, Claus EB, Garrett P, Gottschalk M, Koch ML, Trainor K, Horwitz RI. A multifactorial intervention to reduce the risk of falling among elderly people living in the community. N Engl J Med. 1994 Sep 29;331(13):821-7. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199409293311301.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 8078528 (View on PubMed)

Rose DJ. Preventing falls among older adults: no "one size suits all" intervention strategy. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2008;45(8):1153-66.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 19235117 (View on PubMed)

Ashburn A, Fazakarley L, Ballinger C, Pickering R, McLellan LD, Fitton C. A randomised controlled trial of a home based exercise programme to reduce the risk of falling among people with Parkinson's disease. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2007 Jul;78(7):678-84. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.2006.099333. Epub 2006 Nov 21.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 17119004 (View on PubMed)

Pickering RM, Grimbergen YA, Rigney U, Ashburn A, Mazibrada G, Wood B, Gray P, Kerr G, Bloem BR. A meta-analysis of six prospective studies of falling in Parkinson's disease. Mov Disord. 2007 Oct 15;22(13):1892-900. doi: 10.1002/mds.21598.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 17588236 (View on PubMed)

Ebersbach G, Edler D, Kaufhold O, Wissel J. Whole body vibration versus conventional physiotherapy to improve balance and gait in Parkinson's disease. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2008 Mar;89(3):399-403. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2007.09.031.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 18295614 (View on PubMed)

Horak FB. Postural orientation and equilibrium: what do we need to know about neural control of balance to prevent falls? Age Ageing. 2006 Sep;35 Suppl 2:ii7-ii11. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afl077.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 16926210 (View on PubMed)

Cakit BD, Saracoglu M, Genc H, Erdem HR, Inan L. The effects of incremental speed-dependent treadmill training on postural instability and fear of falling in Parkinson's disease. Clin Rehabil. 2007 Aug;21(8):698-705. doi: 10.1177/0269215507077269.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 17846069 (View on PubMed)

Allen NE, Canning CG, Sherrington C, Lord SR, Latt MD, Close JC, O'Rourke SD, Murray SM, Fung VS. The effects of an exercise program on fall risk factors in people with Parkinson's disease: a randomized controlled trial. Mov Disord. 2010 Jul 15;25(9):1217-25. doi: 10.1002/mds.23082.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 20629134 (View on PubMed)

Protas EJ, Mitchell K, Williams A, Qureshy H, Caroline K, Lai EC. Gait and step training to reduce falls in Parkinson's disease. NeuroRehabilitation. 2005;20(3):183-90.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 16340099 (View on PubMed)

Dorsey ER, Constantinescu R, Thompson JP, Biglan KM, Holloway RG, Kieburtz K, Marshall FJ, Ravina BM, Schifitto G, Siderowf A, Tanner CM. Projected number of people with Parkinson disease in the most populous nations, 2005 through 2030. Neurology. 2007 Jan 30;68(5):384-6. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000247740.47667.03. Epub 2006 Nov 2.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 17082464 (View on PubMed)

Ernst M, Folkerts AK, Gollan R, Lieker E, Caro-Valenzuela J, Adams A, Cryns N, Monsef I, Dresen A, Roheger M, Eggers C, Skoetz N, Kalbe E. Physical exercise for people with Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2024 Apr 8;4(4):CD013856. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013856.pub3.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 38588457 (View on PubMed)

Ernst M, Folkerts AK, Gollan R, Lieker E, Caro-Valenzuela J, Adams A, Cryns N, Monsef I, Dresen A, Roheger M, Eggers C, Skoetz N, Kalbe E. Physical exercise for people with Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2023 Jan 5;1(1):CD013856. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013856.pub2.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 36602886 (View on PubMed)

Sparrow D, DeAngelis TR, Hendron K, Thomas CA, Saint-Hilaire M, Ellis T. Highly Challenging Balance Program Reduces Fall Rate in Parkinson Disease. J Neurol Phys Ther. 2016 Jan;40(1):24-30. doi: 10.1097/NPT.0000000000000111.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 26655100 (View on PubMed)

Related Links

Access external resources that provide additional context or updates about the study.

http://www.bu.edu/neurorehab/research/

Center for Neurorehabilitation at Boston University

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

BU-SAR-BAL

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

More Related Trials

Additional clinical trials that may be relevant based on similarity analysis.

Cycling in Parkinson's Disease
NCT02175082 TERMINATED NA
Training Improves Balance Control
NCT01547988 COMPLETED NA