The Effects of 24-Weeks Community-based Brisk Walking in People With Parkinson's Disease

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

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

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.

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

Study summary

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.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• The Generic Walking Scale - 12 items (Walk-12G) — From enrollment to the end of follow-up at 48 weeks
  The generic walking scale is a 12-item questionnaire covering different aspects of walking difficulties during everyday life. Scores ranged from 0 (no problem) to 42 (severe walking difficulties)

Trial sites (1)

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