RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT06707402

The Effects of 24-Weeks Community-based Brisk Walking in People With Parkinson's Disease

The Effects of 24 Weeks Community-based Brisk Walking on Physical Function, Comorbidities, Cognition, Disease Severity, and Health-related Quality of Life in People With Parkinson's Disease.

Sponsor

University of Aarhus

Enrollment

129 participants

Start Date

Mar 11, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Parkinson Disease

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate if brisk walking can improve walking function in people with Parkinson's disease and what kind of brisk walking intervention that is most effective. The main questions are: If brisk walking can reduce self-perceived walking difficulty What type of exercise intervention is most effective. Researchers will compare a brisk walking group receiving a personalized walking program with a group receiving an activity tracker and a control group. Participants will * be tested at baseline (0 weeks), post the intervention period (24 weeks) and after a follow-up period (48 weeks). * be randomly allocated to one of three groups at baseline. * follow the prescribed intervention they are allocated to.

Eligibility

Min Age: 40 Years

Inclusion Criteria6

clinically diagnosed with Parkinson's disease
aged ≥40 years
Hoehn and Yahr stage ≤3
able to independently undertake transportation back and forth from test days and training sessions
expectedly able to complete ≥85% of the training sessions
experience walking difficulties (the generic walking scale (Walk-12G) score ≥8.5).

Exclusion Criteria8

have another neurological disorder or other disorders that affect gait and balance (e.g., severe arthritis or arthrosis)
are pregnant
have dementia (Montreal Cognitive Assessment score \<18)
are suffering from alcohol abuse (i.e., exceeding ten units per week, according to the Danish Health Authority recommendation
have cardiovascular, respiratory, orthopedic, or metabolic disorders or other medical comorbidities hindering participation in maximal exercise testing.
have a depression
use an activity tracker during exercise
performing high-intensity brisk walking three or more times during a week.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALWALK

The intervention covers a personalized 24-week progressive brisk walking program. The program consists of moderate to high-intensity walking (i.e., 55-85% maximal heart rate) performed as both continuous and interval training sessions 2-3 times/week lasting 30-60 min/session. Four individually supervised sessions will be conducted in the first 2 weeks, while 1 supervised group session will be received bi-weekly. Furthermore, the group will receive an activity tracker and monthly telephone calls will be offered to adjust the intensity of the program (if necessary), clarify any questions regarding the intervention, and give verbal motivation. At the baseline assessment and at week 12, during a group training session, the figure of 8 walk test will be conducted to gain insigh tinto the current status of the training program. Lastly, after completion of the baseline test, the participants are given a brief educational session (walking advice) on recommended guidelines for physical activity

BEHAVIORALACTIVE

Will receive an activity tracker is provided alongside monthly telephone calls and walking advice after the baseline test. Similar to WALK, 3 telephone calls are provided during the follow-up period.

BEHAVIORALCON

Receives a brief educational session (walking advice) is provided at baseline, after which no further contacts are made.