Non-contact Boxing Training and Traditional Therapeutic Exercise for Persons With Parkinson's Disease

Sponsor

University of Indianapolis (Other)

Overall Status

Completed

CT.gov ID

NCT01014663

Collaborator

(none)

Enrollment

Location

Arms

17.9

Duration (Months)

1.7

Patients Per Site Per Month

Study Details

Study Description

Brief Summary

The primary purpose of this study is to compare the effects of a non-traditional boxing training program to a traditional therapeutic exercise program on activity and participation outcomes in persons with Parkinson's disease. Thirty participants will be randomly assigned to participate in either non-contact boxing training or traditional therapeutic exercise for 36 sessions over 12 weeks. Participants will be measured immediately before (pre-test) and after (post-test) the intervention.

Condition or Disease	Intervention/Treatment	Phase
Parkinson's Disease	Behavioral: Traditional Therapeutic Exercise Behavioral: Non-Contact Boxing Training	N/A

Detailed Description

Physical therapists commonly treat patients with Parkinson's disease. Typical clinical interventions used by physical therapists including strengthening, stretching and aerobic training have been shown to improve function and quality of life of persons with Parkinson's disease. Alternative exercise interventions that incorporate non-traditional concepts, such as tango dance, tai chi and taiji have also been found to lead to improvements in function in persons with Parkinson's disease. It is important that comparisons between different types of exercise programs for persons with Parkinson's disease be explored in order to determine effective options for care.

Here in Indianapolis, Indiana, individuals with Parkinson's disease have a unique opportunity for alternative exercise with the recent development of the popular non-contact boxing training program offered by the Rock Steady Boxing Foundation. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to compare the effects of the non-traditional boxing training program to a traditional therapeutic exercise program on activity and participation outcomes in persons with Parkinson's disease.

Thirty participants with Parkinson's disease will be recruited from Central Indiana. All potential participants will be screened to determine eligibility for the study. Participants who are eligible and give consent will be randomly assigned to participate in either the non-contact boxing training or the traditional therapeutic exercise program for 36 sessions lasting over 12 weeks with 60-90 minutes of exercise each session. Participants will be measured immediately before (pre-test) and after (post-test) the intervention period.

Study Design

Study Type:

Interventional

Actual Enrollment :

31 participants

Allocation:

Randomized

Intervention Model:

Parallel Assignment

Masking:

Single (Outcomes Assessor)

Primary Purpose:

Treatment

Official Title:

Comparison of Non-contact Boxing Training and Traditional Therapeutic Exercise on Functional Outcomes in Persons With Parkinson's Disease

Study Start Date :

Sep 1, 2009

Actual Primary Completion Date :

Dec 1, 2010

Actual Study Completion Date :

Mar 1, 2011

Arms and Interventions

Arm	Intervention/Treatment
Active Comparator: Therapeutic Exercise	Behavioral: Traditional Therapeutic Exercise The therapeutic exercise program will consist of warm-up and stretching, seated and standing range of motion activities, endurance and resistance training, balance training and a cool down. Training will take place for 36 sessions, three times/week for 60-90 minutes per session.
Active Comparator: Non-Contact Boxing Training	Behavioral: Non-Contact Boxing Training Non-contact boxing training will consist of warm-up and stretching, non-contact boxing training (including punching a focus mitt, speed and heavy punching bags), endurance training activities, strength and resistance training, and a cool down. Training will take place for 36 sessions, three times/week for 60-90 minutes per session.

Arm

Intervention/Treatment

Active Comparator: Therapeutic Exercise

Behavioral: Traditional Therapeutic Exercise

The therapeutic exercise program will consist of warm-up and stretching, seated and standing range of motion activities, endurance and resistance training, balance training and a cool down. Training will take place for 36 sessions, three times/week for 60-90 minutes per session.

Active Comparator: Non-Contact Boxing Training

Behavioral: Non-Contact Boxing Training

Non-contact boxing training will consist of warm-up and stretching, non-contact boxing training (including punching a focus mitt, speed and heavy punching bags), endurance training activities, strength and resistance training, and a cool down. Training will take place for 36 sessions, three times/week for 60-90 minutes per session.

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

Mobility: Measured with the Timed Up and Go Test; Four-Square Step Test; Six-Minute Walk Test; Berg Balance Scale; Functional Reach Test [Each outcome measures is assessed at pre-test (immediately before intervention), post-test (immediately after the 12 week intervention).]

Secondary Outcome Measures

Participation: measured with the Activities Specific Balance Confidence Scale and the Parkinson's disease Quality of Life Scale [Each outcome measures is assessed at pre-test (immediately before intervention), post-test (immediately after the 12 week intervention).]

Eligibility Criteria

Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years and Older

Sexes Eligible for Study:

All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

Inclusion Criteria:

diagnosis of Parkinson's disease
currently not receiving physical therapy services
medically stable with a physician release stating approval to enter an exercise program
independently ambulatory in the home setting with or without the use of an assistive device
able to follow at least three step verbal commands
available for the entire period of the study
have transportation to and from training and measurement sessions

Exclusion Criteria:

preexisting neurological conditions other than Parkinson's disease
current musculoskeletal conditions that would limit participation in either training program
significant orthopedic surgery within the past six months
past brain surgery or brain stimulator implant
currently known pregnant
pre-existing cardiovascular conditioner that would prohibit participation in an exercise program

Contacts and Locations

Locations

	Site	City	State	Country	Postal Code
1	University of Indianapolis, Krannert School of Physical Therapy	Indianapolis	Indiana	United States	46227

Sponsors and Collaborators

University of Indianapolis

Investigators

Principal Investigator: Stephanie A Combs, PT, PhD, NCS, University of Indianapolis
Principal Investigator: Dyer M Diehl, PT, PhD, University of Indianapolis
Principal Investigator: William H Staples, PT, DPT, GCS, University of Indianapolis