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The Effects of a High Intensity Exercise Training Program in Patients With Parkinson's Disease

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Parkinson's Disease
Interventions
Behavioral: Sleep Hygiene
Behavioral: PD exercise
Registration Number
NCT02593955
Lead Sponsor
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Brief Summary

The purpose of this randomized, controlled interventional study is to determine the effects of a high intensity exercise training program on objective sleep measures, daytime sleepiness, mobility, and brain health/functional connectivity in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Detailed Description

The primary outcome measure is the change in sleep efficiency (the number of minutes asleep divided by the number of minutes in bed), as measured by polysomnography. In addition, because patients with Parkinson's disease have excessive sleepiness/impaired vigilance (alertness) and impaired motor function, and because these might be expected to improve with the exercise intervention, this study will also assess vigilance and motor outcomes.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
71
Inclusion Criteria

PD participants

  1. Subjects with a clinical diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease based on the presence of bradykinesia and one or both of the following: rest tremor and/or rigidity
  2. Hoehn and Yahr stage 2 or 3
  3. Stable dopaminergic medication regimen for at least 4 weeks prior to study entry without anticipation of medication change for the duration of the study.
  4. Stable doses of medications known to affect sleep and medications for Parkinson's disease for at least 4 weeks prior to study entry without anticipation of medication change for the duration of the study.
  5. Age 45 or greater at time of study entry
  6. Asymmetric onset of PD
  7. Progressive motor symptoms of PD
  8. Poor sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score >5)
  9. MoCA score 18-26
  10. Ability to travel to UAB 3x/week for the 16 weeks duration of the study for exercise training sessions as well as for other study visits
  11. Subjects must pass a physical examination and PAR-Q to assess exercise readiness

Inclusion Criteria: Healthy Controls

  1. Age 45 or greater at time of study entry
  2. Poor sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score >5)
  3. Normal cognition
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Exclusion Criteria

PD Participants

  1. Atypical features indicative of a Parkinson's Plus disorder (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Multiple Systems Atrophy, Corticobasal Degeneration) including cerebellar signs, supranuclear gaze palsy, apraxia, prominent autonomic failure, or other cortical signs.
  2. Neuroleptic treatment at time of onset of Parkinsonism
  3. Active treatment with a neuroleptic at time of study entry
  4. History of multiple strokes with stepwise progression of Parkinsonism
  5. History of multiple head injuries
  6. Inability to walk without assistance, including a cane, wheelchair, or walker
  7. Regular participation in an exercise program within the past 6 months
  8. Deep Brain Stimulation
  9. Untreated sleep apnea
  10. Known narcolepsy
  11. Participation in drug studies or the use of investigational drugs within 30 days prior to screening
  12. Acute illness or active, confounding medical, neurological, or musculoskeletal conditions that, at the discretion of the PI, would prevent the subject's ability to participate in the study
  13. Known contraindication to testing
  14. Active alcoholism or other drug addiction
  15. Pregnancy

Exclusion criteria for PD subjects undergoing imaging studies:

  1. Pacemaker or other metallic object that would make MR imaging unsafe
  2. Claustrophobia that prevents participation in imaging portion
  3. Any motor, cognitive, or health disorder that in the opinion of the PI would prevent the subject from participating in the imaging portion

Exclusion criteria for healthy controls:

  1. Pacemaker or other metallic object that would make MR imaging unsafe
  2. Claustrophobia that prevents participation in imaging portion
  3. Any motor, cognitive, or health disorder that in the opinion of the PI would prevent the subject from participating in the imaging portion
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Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
PD sleep hygeine groupSleep HygieneTips for improved sleep hygiene, reading materials
PD exercise groupPD exerciseSupervised exercise training, 3x per week for 16 weeks
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Motor outcome measured by Timed up and go test (TUG)baseline, week 18, and week 34

Timed up and go test (TUG)

Change in sleep efficiency measured by polysomnographybaseline, week 18, and week 34

polysomnography

Vigilance outcome measured by psychomotor vigilance task (PVT)baseline, week 18, and week 34

psychomotor vigilance task (PVT)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
MRI Sub-studybaseline (both PD and control), week 18 (PD only)

comparison of PD and control imaging scans

Home sleep environmentbaseline, week 18 and week 34

comparison of sleep diaries and actigraph related to home sleep environment

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Alabama at Birmingham

🇺🇸

Birmingham, Alabama, United States

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