RECRUITINGINTERVENTIONAL

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.

About This Trial

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.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Who May Qualify: 1. clinically diagnosed with Parkinson's disease 2. aged ≥40 years 3. Hoehn and Yahr stage ≤3 4. able to independently undertake transportation back and forth from test days and training sessions 5. expectedly able to complete ≥85% of the training sessions 6. experience walking difficulties (the generic walking scale (Walk-12G) score ≥8.5). Who Should NOT Join This Trial: 1. have another neurological disorder or other disorders that affect gait and balance (e.g., severe arthritis or arthrosis) 2. are pregnant 3. have dementia (Montreal Cognitive Assessment score \<18) 4. are suffering from alcohol abuse (i.e., exceeding ten units per week, according to the Danish Health Authority recommendation 5. have cardiovascular, respiratory, orthopedic, or metabolic disorders or other medical comorbidities hindering participation in maximal exercise testing. 6. have a depression 7. use an activity tracker during exercise 8. performing high-intensity brisk walking three or more times during a week. Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language

Inclusion Criteria: 1. clinically diagnosed with Parkinson's disease 2. aged ≥40 years 3. Hoehn and Yahr stage ≤3 4. able to independently undertake transportation back and forth from test days and training sessions 5. expectedly able to complete ≥85% of the training sessions 6. experience walking difficulties (the generic walking scale (Walk-12G) score ≥8.5). Exclusion Criteria: 1. have another neurological disorder or other disorders that affect gait and balance (e.g., severe arthritis or arthrosis) 2. are pregnant 3. have dementia (Montreal Cognitive Assessment score \<18) 4. are suffering from alcohol abuse (i.e., exceeding ten units per week, according to the Danish Health Authority recommendation 5. have cardiovascular, respiratory, orthopedic, or metabolic disorders or other medical comorbidities hindering participation in maximal exercise testing. 6. have a depression 7. use an activity tracker during exercise 8. performing high-intensity brisk walking three or more times during a week.

Treatments Being Tested

BEHAVIORAL

WALK

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

BEHAVIORAL

ACTIVE

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.

BEHAVIORAL

CON

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

Locations (1)

Aarhus University, Department of Public Health, Sport Science

Aarhus C, Denmark