None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Falls are common and disabling in people with Parkinson’s disease, affecting up to 60% of those who live at home. This clinical research trial aims to minimize the number of falls and fall-related injuries in people with Parkinson’s disease and to improve mobility and participation in life. Two physical therapy programs, known as “movement strategy training” and “strength training” will be coupled with falls education and compared with a social program plus usual care. The effects of therapy will be measured for a period of 12 months. The data analyst will be blinded to group allocation. After 12 months, quality of life is predicted to be higher in the people that receive strengthening or strategy training because falls and injuries are predicted to be less than for usual care. Quality of life in close family members is also predicted to increase, by lessening the burden of care arising from the disease. The results will provide information about which therapy programs are most effective for reducing falls and improving mobility, so that people with Parkinson’s can continue to lead safe and fulfilling lives.
Interventions
1. Movement Strategy Training (MST): an 8-week, once-weekly 120 minute individualised program which comprises strategies to prevent falls, enhance balance and improve mobility, along with education about risk factors for falls and general education about Parkinson’s disease. Participants will also receive a once-weekly individualized and structured home program to reinforce the content of each outpatient session. The person shall also receive one home visit by an occupational therapist (OT). The
1. Movement Strategy Training (MST): an 8-week, once-weekly 120 minute individualised program which comprises strategies to prevent falls, enhance balance and improve mobility, along with education about risk factors for falls and general education about Parkinson’s disease. Participants will also receive a once-weekly individualized and structured home program to reinforce the content of each outpatient session. The person shall also receive one home visit by an occupational therapist (OT). The OT will conduct a detailed environmental analysis using a standardized home assessment checklist and recommend home modifications to minimize falls risk. 2. Progressive Strength Training (PST): an 8-week, once-weekly 120 minute individualised program for functional strengthening of muscles such as quadriceps, hamstrings, calf, tibialis anterior, glutei, abductor and trunk muscles plus education about methods to prevent falls and general education about Parkinson’s disease. Each person shall receive a strength program that is tailored to their individual needs and reinforced by a once-weekly individualized and structured home program. An OT will perform one home visit as above except without MST.
Sponsors
University of Melbourne
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Prevention
Masking
Blinded (masking used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
1. Neurologist-confirmed diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease. 2. Cognitively intact (a Mini-Mental State Examination score of >24).
Exclusion criteria
1. Other neurological disorders knwon to affect balance and gait2. Cognitive impairment (a Mini-Mental State Examination score of <24) 3. Currently taking tranquilizer medication4. Inability to walk.
Outcome results
None listed