Comparative Effects of Alexander Techniques and Feldenkrais Method in Parkinson's Disease

NCT ID: NCT06750224

Last Updated: 2025-01-14

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 46 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2024-10-01
• Study Completion Date: 2025-05-01

Brief Summary

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by tremors, rigidity, and postural instability. These symptoms significantly impact balance and increase the risk of falls, which subsequently lead to a heightened fear of falling and a diminished quality of life. Alexander Technique and the Feldenkrais Method have shown effects in improving overall well-being.

The study is randomized clinical trial will be carried at General hospital. 46 participants meeting the inclusion criteria will be included in this study. Participants will be randomly assigned into 2 groups, Group A and Group B participants will receive Alexander techniques and Feldenkrais method, respectively. All the groups will receive interventions for three days a week for 8 weeks.

Detailed Description

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor symptoms such as tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability. These symptoms significantly impact balance and increase the risk of falls, which subsequently lead to a heightened fear of falling and a diminished quality of life. Alexander Technique and the Feldenkrais Method have shown promise in improving motor function and overall well-being. The primary objective of this study is to compare the effects of the Alexander Technique and the Feldenkrais Method on balance, fear of falling, and quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease.

This randomized clinical trial will be carried at General hospital after the approval of permission letter. Total number of 46 participants meeting the inclusion criteria will be included in this study through a non-probability convenient sampling technique. Participants will be randomly assigned into 2 groups using computer generated randomization method. Group A and Group B participants will receive Alexander techniques and Feldenkrais method, respectively. All the groups will receive interventions for three days a week for 8 weeks. Total treatment time will be 40 minutes. The outcome measuring scales used will be Berg balance scale and time-up and go to measure balance, fall efficacy scale-international to measure fear of fall, and the Parkinson's disease questionnaire (PDQ-39) to measure quality of life. The data will be collected at baseline and after 8 weeks of therapy, to measure the outcome measures.

Conditions

Parkinson Disease

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

alexander

Group A will receive therapy according to Alexander techniques for every alternate day (3 days per week) for 8 weeks. Total 40 minutes of session.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Alexander technique

Intervention Type: OTHER

24 sessions for 8 weeks, per week 3 sessions will be given

feldenkrais

Group B will receive therapy according to Feldenkrais method for every alternate day (3 days per week) for 8 weeks. Total 40 minutes of session

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Feldenkrais method

Intervention Type: OTHER

The method is divided into eight lessons according to 'Awareness Through Movement'. Each lesson will be given three times for one week.

Interventions

Alexander technique

24 sessions for 8 weeks, per week 3 sessions will be given

Intervention Type: OTHER

Feldenkrais method

The method is divided into eight lessons according to 'Awareness Through Movement'. Each lesson will be given three times for one week.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• The age group of 50 to 70 years will be included.
• Both genders (male and female)
• Patients diagnosed with Parkinson's disease of Hoehn and Yahr stage (1-3).
• Patient should be able to stand 10 minutes at least without assistance.
• Patients should be able to walk with or without assistance.
• MMSE (score higher than 24).

Exclusion Criteria

• Recent surgery or any fracture
• Visual and hearing impairments.
• CVS impairments that interfered with therapy
• Joint pain or musculoskeletal problem that interfered with therapy

• Minimum Eligible Age: 50 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 70 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Riphah International University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Sabiha Arshad, M.Phill

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Riphah International University

Locations

General hospital

Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan

Countries

Pakistan

References

Teixeira-Machado L, de Araújo FM, Menezes MA, Cunha FA, Menezes T, Ferreira CdS, et al. Feldenkrais method and functionality in Parkinson's disease: a randomized controlled clinical trial. International Journal on Disability and Human Development. 2017;16(1):59-66.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

Sedaghati P, Goudarzian M, Daneshmandi H, Ardjmand A. Effects of Alexander-based corrective techniques on forward flexed posture, risk of fall, and fear of falling in idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Archives of Neuroscience. 2018;5(2).

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

Hafezi M, Rahemi Z, Ajorpaz NM, Izadi FS. The effect of the Alexander Technique on pain intensity in patients with chronic low back pain: A randomized controlled trial. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2022 Jan;29:54-59. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2021.09.025. Epub 2021 Oct 9.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 35248289 (View on PubMed)

Kang SH, Kim J, Kim I, Moon YA, Park S, Koh SB. Dance Intervention Using the Feldenkrais Method Improves Motor, and Non-Motor Symptoms and Gait in Parkinson's Disease: A 12-Month Study. J Mov Disord. 2022 Jan;15(1):53-57. doi: 10.14802/jmd.21086. Epub 2021 Nov 3.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 34724780 (View on PubMed)

Gross M, Condie C, Grieb J, Cohen R. Poised for Parkinson's: Retention of benefits 6-7 months after Alexander technique synchronous online group course. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2022;103(12):e150.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

Babaei H, Alizadeh MH, Minoonezhad H, Movahed A, Maher R. Effectiveness of the Alexander Technique on quality of life in young men with upper crossed syndrome. Physical Treatments-Specific Physical Therapy Journal. 2024;14(2):125-36.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

Berland R, Marques-Sule E, Marin-Mateo JL, Moreno-Segura N, Lopez-Ridaura A, Sentandreu-Mano T. Effects of the Feldenkrais Method as a Physiotherapy Tool: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Oct 22;19(21):13734. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192113734.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 36360614 (View on PubMed)

Pour Kamali T, Yazdkhasti F, Oreyzi HR, Chitsaz A. A Comparison of Effectiveness of Dohsa-hou and the Alexander Technique on Happiness, Social Adjustment, Hope, Mental Health, and Quality of Life in Patients with Parkinson's Disease. Japanese Psychological Research. 2018;60(2):87-98.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

Cohen RG, Baer JL, Ravichandra R, Kral D, McGowan C, Cacciatore TW. Lighten Up! Postural Instructions Affect Static and Dynamic Balance in Healthy Older Adults. Innov Aging. 2020 Mar 24;4(2):igz056. doi: 10.1093/geroni/igz056. eCollection 2020.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 32226825 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

REC/RCR & AHS/24/0248

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id