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RECRUITINGINTERVENTIONAL

Blood Flow Restriction for Optimizing Balance in Parkinson's Disease

Important: This information is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

About This Trial

This study is being done to understand how reducing blood flow (BRT) during balance-challenging strengthening exercises (instability resistance training, or IRT) can help improve symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Who May Qualify: 1. Males and females between the ages 40 - 85 with a diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's Disease (PD) consistent with the United Kingdom PD society brain bank criteria, 2. in Hoehn and Yahr stage 2-4, 3. a score of ≥23 on the mini-Mental Scale Examination. Who Should NOT Join This Trial: 1. History of cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension (blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg), orthostatic hypotension, deep-vein thrombosis, varicose veins, or rhabdomyolysis; 2. Ankle branchial index ≤ 0.9 or \> 1.3. 3. History of other neurological disorders affecting the central nervous system such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, tumors, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or muscle disease such as muscular dystrophy, myopathy. 4. History of uncontrolled diabetes, severe osteoporosis, or cognitive impairment. 5. Body mass index above 40; such individuals are more likely to have poorer muscle function and more pain. 6. Absolute contraindications to exercise as per the American College of Sports Medicine (uncontrolled arrhythmias, third-degree heart block, recent electrocardiogram (EKG) changes, unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction, or acute congestive heart failure 7. Had surgery in the lower extremities within the past 6 months. 8. Pre-menopausal and not on birth control 9. Pregnant or planning to become pregnant within the course of the study 10. Plan to have major surgery within 2 months. Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Males and females between the ages 40 - 85 with a diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's Disease (PD) consistent with the United Kingdom PD society brain bank criteria, 2. in Hoehn and Yahr stage 2-4, 3. a score of ≥23 on the mini-Mental Scale Examination. Exclusion Criteria: 1. History of cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension (blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg), orthostatic hypotension, deep-vein thrombosis, varicose veins, or rhabdomyolysis; 2. Ankle branchial index ≤ 0.9 or \> 1.3. 3. History of other neurological disorders affecting the central nervous system such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, tumors, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or muscle disease such as muscular dystrophy, myopathy. 4. History of uncontrolled diabetes, severe osteoporosis, or cognitive impairment. 5. Body mass index above 40; such individuals are more likely to have poorer muscle function and more pain. 6. Absolute contraindications to exercise as per the American College of Sports Medicine (uncontrolled arrhythmias, third-degree heart block, recent electrocardiogram (EKG) changes, unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction, or acute congestive heart failure 7. Had surgery in the lower extremities within the past 6 months. 8. Pre-menopausal and not on birth control 9. Pregnant or planning to become pregnant within the course of the study 10. Plan to have major surgery within 2 months.

Treatments Being Tested

OTHER

Blood flow restriction training

The BFR Intervention will consist of 75 repetitions; reps (set 1: 30 reps, sets 2 - 4: 15 reps with 30 s of rest between sets and 1 minute between exercises) at 20-30% of 10 repetition maximum (RM). BFR training will be performed during toe raises, lunges and single leg stance exercises on unstable surfaces (i.e., foam, Dyna disc, balance disc, and BOSU-ball®) as tolerated by the participant.

OTHER

Instability Resistance Training

The following devices will be used for instability training: foam, dyna disc, balance disc and BOSU-ball®. Unstable devices will be changed during the six-week period from the least to the most unstable devices. Once a participant reduces the body sway on a device, the device will be progressed. Participants will perform IRT with or without blood flow restriction.

Locations (1)

University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas, United States