Whole-body Vibration as a Treatment for Parkinson's Disease

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Primary Parkinsonism; Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease
• Interventions: Device: sham treatment; Device: vibrating chair

• Registration Number: NCT02306863
• Lead Sponsor: Sun Life Financial Movement Disorders Research and Rehabilitation Centre

Brief Summary

This study will evaluate whether whole-body vibration applied over a 12-week period is effective in treating motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Detailed Description

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease resulting in the loss of dopaminergic neurons projecting from the substantia nigra pars compacta to the striatum.

Whole-body vibration (WBV) is potentially beneficial in treating Parkinson's disease because it has been shown to elicit effects specific to both the brain and muscular system. Animal models of PD indicate that whole-body vibration can increase striatal dopamine levels, as well as the number of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. These findings were correlated with increased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

In addition to the potentially neuroplastic effects, \>20 Hz WBV has been shown to improve muscular performance. Improved muscular performance is believed to be attributed to WBV induced neuromuscular effects rather than muscle hypertrophy, with the specific mechanism defined as the tonic vibration reflex.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2014-12-01
• Study First Submitted QC: 2014-12-02
• Study First Posted: 2014-12-03
• Study Start: 2015-01
• Status Verified: 2015-02
• Last Update Submitted: 2015-02-13
• Last Update Posted: 2015-02-16
• Primary Completion: 2015-07
• Study Completion: 2015-08

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 60

Inclusion Criteria

• Diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinson's Disease by a Neurologist
• Currently taking anti-Parkinsonian medication
• Able to stand for 2 minutes without assistance
• Able to walk 10 meters without assistance
• Ability to understand English instructions
• Normal or corrected vision

Exclusion Criteria

• A neurological disease other than PD
• recent stroke
• cardiovascular disease
• previous major hemorrhage
• artificial pacemaker
• currently pregnant
• Current participation in any physical therapy or experimental treatments
• Peripheral neuropathy, severe osteoporosis
• Visual impairments that cannot be corrected
• Clinically diagnosed with dementia
• Greater than mild dementia (screened using Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) <24 being excluded)

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
sham treatment	sham treatment	simulated whole-body vibration applied 3 times a week for 12 weeks
whole-body vibration	vibrating chair	40 Hz Whole-body vibration applied via physioaccoustic method for 12 weeks, 3 times a week

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) section III	change from baseline, 12 weeks, and 2 week washout	clinician monitored motor evaluation

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Timed Up & Go (TUG) Test	change from baseline, 12 weeks, and 2 week washout	measuring time participants take to stand up from chair, walk towards an obstacle, turn around, walk back to chair, and sit back down again
Gait Assessment	change from baseline, 12 weeks, and 2 week washout	pressure sensitive carpet (GAITRite) measuring gait parameters (step length, step velocity, stride-to-stride variability, etc)
Timed Grooved Pegboard Task	change from baseline, 12 weeks, and 2 week washout	25 pegs with a key along one side must be rotated to properly be inserted into slot on board (measuring time-in and time-out)

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Sun Life Financial Movement Disorders Research & Rehabilitation Centre; 🇨🇦 Waterloo, Ontario, Canada