A randomized, controlled pilot study of the effects of vitamin D supplementation on balance in Parkinson's disease: Does age matter?

Amie L Hiller, Charles F Murchison, Brenna M Lobb, Susan O'Connor, Morgan O'Connor, Joseph F Quinn, Amie L Hiller, Charles F Murchison, Brenna M Lobb, Susan O'Connor, Morgan O'Connor, Joseph F Quinn

Abstract

Objectives: To explore if short term, high dose vitamin D supplementation is safe and improves balance in persons with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods: A pilot randomized, double-blind intervention trial to measure the effects of 16 weeks of high dose vitamin D (10,000 IU/day) on balance as well as other motor and non-motor features of PD. We measured balance, gait, strength, falls, cognition, mood, PD severity, and quality of life before and after 16 weeks of high dose vitamin D supplementation or placebo. All participants also received 1000 mg calcium once daily.

Results: Fifty-one randomized participants completed sixteen weeks of high dose vitamin D supplementation or placebo. The intervention resulted in a rise in serum concentrations of vitamin D (25-OH) (30.2 ng/ml to 61.1 ng/ml) and was well tolerated with no serious adverse events. Serum vitamin D (25-OH) levels rose steadily and did not suggest a leveling off at the end of the 16 weeks. There was not an improvement in the primary endpoint, balance as measured by the Sensory Organization Test (p = 0.43). A post hoc analysis examining treatment effects in younger (ages 52-66) versus older (ages 67-86) participants found a significant improvement in the SOT of 10.6 points in the younger half of the cohort (p = 0.012).

Conclusions: Short term, high dose vitamin D supplementation appears safe in persons with PD, but did not significantly improve balance as measured with the Sensory Organization Test in this pilot study population. A post hoc analysis suggests that vitamin D may have potential for improving balance in a younger population with PD. High dose vitamin D supplementation in PD needs further study especially in light of new research suggesting that mega doses and even moderate doses (as low as 4000IU a day) may increase falls in an older populations.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01119131.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1. CONSORT diagram.
Fig 1. CONSORT diagram.
Consort diagram detailing study screening, randomization, and completion.
Fig 2. Change in Vitamin D levels.
Fig 2. Change in Vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D (25-OH) levels in placebo and intervention group over the course of the study.
Fig 3. Balance Improvement seen in younger…
Fig 3. Balance Improvement seen in younger patients.
An improvement in balance as measure by SOT was seen in the younger, but not the older, cohort of the study.

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