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

March 31, 2020 updated by: Stephanie Miller, University of Indianapolis

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

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.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

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 Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

31

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Indiana
      • Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, 46227
        • University of Indianapolis, Krannert School of Physical Therapy

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

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

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / 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.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

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

Secondary Outcome Measures

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

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

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

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

September 1, 2009

Primary Completion (Actual)

December 1, 2010

Study Completion (Actual)

March 1, 2011

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

November 13, 2009

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

November 16, 2009

First Posted (Estimate)

November 17, 2009

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

April 2, 2020

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 31, 2020

Last Verified

March 1, 2020

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • EXB-01

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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