RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07264114

Aquatic High-Intensity Interval Training for Parkinson's Disease

The Effect of Aquatic High-Intensity Interval Training on Balance, Physical Function, and Sarcopenia in Patients With Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol

Sponsor

Pardis Specialized Wellness Institute

Enrollment

56 participants

Start Date

Dec 10, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Parkinson Disease

Summary

This randomized, single-center, parallel-group superiority trial will evaluate the effect of an 8-week aquatic High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) program on balance, physical function, and sarcopenia-related outcomes in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). The intervention aims to deliver Tabata-style aquatic HIIT (3 sessions/week) in a therapeutic pool to determine adherence and preliminary efficacy compared with standard care (no structured exercise program).

Eligibility

Min Age: 55 YearsMax Age: 75 Years

Inclusion Criteria8

PD stages 2-3 based on Hoehn and Yahr classification system
Balance difficulty (BBS score \<45)
Reduced motor function
Sarcopenia (per EWGSOP2 criteria)
Age ≥ 55
Permission from their doctors to participate
Absence of a history of myocardial infarction within the past 3 months
Capacity to provide informed consent to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria8

Cardiac instability (angina, decompensated congestive heart failure, severe arteriovenous stenosis, uncontrolled arrhythmias, etc.)
Active infection or acute medical illness
Hemodynamic instability
Labile glycemic control
Inability to exercise (e.g. lower extremity amputation with no prosthesis)
Severe musculoskeletal pain at rest or with minimal activity
Inability to sit, stand or walk unassisted (walking device such as cane or walker allowed)
Shortness of breath at rest or with activities of daily living

Interventions

BEHAVIORALAquatic HIIT with adherence/support package

The participants in the behavioral component will receive the same supervised aquatic HIIT program described above plus structured behavioral/support measures to maximize adherence and safety. These include: an initial individual education session explaining benefits/risks and protocol; supervised real-time feedback during each session from exercise specialists; flexible scheduling options to accommodate participants; weekly review of attendance and brief motivational follow-up (phone call or in-person) for participants with missed sessions; individualized adjustments to intensity/duration based on participant feedback and safety; and documentation of reasons for non-attendance. All behavioral/support activities are delivered by trained research staff and exercise physiologists and are recorded in session logs. (These measures are drawn from the protocol's adherence and retention strategies.)