RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT06859528

Step Up to PD: A Community-based Walking Program for People With Parkinson's Disease

Sponsor

St. Louis University

Enrollment

40 participants

Start Date

Apr 1, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Parkinson Disease Parkinson Disease, Idiopathic

Summary

This study will investigate the feasibility of a 6-month community walking program for people with Parkinson's disease (PD) and their care partners in greater Saint Louis, Missouri region. The walking program will consist of weekly, organized walking groups at the Missouri Botanical Gardens. Participants in the program will use Nordic walking poles during the walks. The walking group(s) will meet once per week and will be supervised by walking group leaders from Saint Louis University. Participants will be given a smart watch to wear that will help step counts will be tracked in real-time. The program is designed to get people with Parkinson's disease out of their homes, cultivate a culture of connection with others with Parkinson's disease, and to be collectively accountable for a common goal toward increasing their physical and social engagement in their communities.

Eligibility

Min Age: 30 YearsMax Age: 85 Years

Inclusion Criteria4

years old
Neurologist-diagnosed Parkinson's disease
Able to walk independently with or without a walking aid (e.g., cane, walker)
Willing to participate in study for at least 6 months

Exclusion Criteria4

Health diagnosis that would limit exercise participation (e.g., heart problems, uncontrolled blood pressure, exercise-induced asthma).
Additional neurologic disease or injury beyond Parkinson's disease.
Evidence of significant cognitive impairment. This will be determined by completing the Montreal Cognitive Assessment
Participants with poor walking ability (determined using the Timed Up and Go Test during initial testing).

Interventions

BEHAVIORALCommunity Walking Program

This is a group, community walking program at local parks using Nordic walking poles. Participants will be encouraged to walk briskly but safely for 60 minutes one time per week with the ultimate goal of using this community walking program to drive behavioral change (increased physical and social engagement in their communities) throughout the week.