multicomponent training with an emphasis on muscle power: Group 2 will perform the same exercise protocol, with the caveat that, whenever feasible, exercises will be executed in the muscle power modality (at the highest possible speed). This latter training is characterized by a lower number of repetitions and a higher movement speed, guided by the therapists assisting. The progression of muscle power exercises will occur at 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, and 60% of 1RM over the 12 weeks, distributed in 2 sets of 6 to 8 repetitions, with rest times of 60 to 120 seconds.
traditional multicomponent training: Group 1 will perform an exercise protocol that includes warm-up, mobility, muscle strength, and flexibility
control group: Group 3 will undergo a protocol similar to traditional physiotherapy. In this group, training intensity will not be controlled based on the one-repetition maximum (1RM) test, nor will periodization strategies or systematic load progression be applied, as performed in the other intervention groups. Load adjustments and exercise progression will be conducted subjectively, considering both the clinical judgment of the physiotherapist and the participant's perceived exertion. Assessment time points will be identical to those adopted in the other groups and will be conducted at T0, T1, T2, and T3. The exercises performed will be the same as those used in the other groups; however, exercise intensity control and progression of exercise difficulty will be implemented subjectively.
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic progressive neurological disorder that involves both motor and non-motor symptoms, culminating in functional decline and disability. One of the main symptoms of PD is bradykinesia and its deleterious effect on functionality. Muscle weakness has also been reported as an important symptom of PD, and muscle power may be even more affected and related to these symptoms. Typical conventional physical therapy treatment includes mobility exercises, strength training, gait training, and balance training, and it presents numerous benefits associated with the reduction of motor symptoms of PD. Physical therapy with power training has also been studied as an alternative to improve the ability to perform activities of daily living in other populations. However, the literature that includes power training in physiotherapeutic approaches for people with PD is scarce. Power training may minimize the problems arising from changes in motor function in older adults with PD; however, there is still a lack of evidence using this modality in the different subtypes of the disease. Knowing that motor function is associated with functional capacity and disease severity, physical therapy becomes an important treatment resource with exercises to improve muscle power. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate the effect of a multicomponent protocol with an emphasis on muscle power training concerning bradykinesia in individuals with rigid-akinetic type PD. A Randomized Clinical Trial will be conducted, in which individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, rigid-akinetic type, classified from 1 to 3 on the Hoehn and Yahr Scale, aged between 50 and 85 years, and who sign the Informed Consent Form will participate. The individuals will be randomized into two treatment groups: G1 - traditional multicomponent training, G2 - multicomponent training with an emphasis on muscle power and G3 - control group. Assessments will be conducted at four time points for all participants: before (T0), during (T1 - 6 weeks), immediately after intervention (T3 - 12 weeks), and follow-up (T4 - 16 weeks). The assessments will consist of the analysis of: 1) motor function through the adapted Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS III) (bradykinesia as the primary outcome); 2) mobility of the posterior chain of the trunk and lower limbs using the Wells Bench; 3) body composition by Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA); 4) rigidity of the leg extensor muscles assessed by ultrasound elastography; 5) muscle power of knee extensors using a linear potentiometer (Peak Power, CEFISE); 6) functional capacity through the CounterMovement Jump - CMJ and the Sit-to-Stand Five Times Test (TSLCV); and 7) postural assessment using the NeuroPostureApp. Treatment sessions will occur twice a week for 12 weeks, lasting 60 minutes each, totaling 24 sessions for each intervention. Group 1 will perform an exercise protocol that includes warm-up, mobility, muscle strength, and flexibility. Group 2 will perform the same exercise protocol, with the caveat that, whenever feasible, exercises will be executed in the muscle power modality (at the highest possible speed). This latter training is characterized by a lower number of repetitions and a higher movement speed, guided by the therapists assisting. The progression of muscle power exercises will occur at 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, and 60% of 1RM over the 12 weeks, distributed in 2 sets of 6 to 8 repetitions, with rest times of 60 to 120 seconds. Group 3 will undergo a protocol similar to traditional physiotherapy, without 1RM-based intensity control, periodization, or systematic load progression as applied in the other groups. Load and exercise progression will be adjusted subjectively based on the physiotherapist's clinical judgment and the participant's perceived exertion. Assessments will occur at the same time points (T0, T1, T2, and T3), and the same exercises will be performed, but intensity and exercise difficulty progression will be controlled subjectively.
| Facility | City | Region | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre | Porto Alegre | Rio Grande do Sul |
This page summarises publicly available registry data for informational purposes — not medical advice. Eligibility is determined by each study team; patients should discuss participation with their clinician.
View NCT07172698 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ ← All trials in Brazil