Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease, Primary Parkinsonism
Conditions
Keywords
Parkinson's Disease, whole-body vibration, WBV
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.
Interventions
DEVICEvibrating chair
vibration provided via physioacoustic method
DEVICEsham treatment
simulated whole-body vibration
Sponsors
Sun Life Financial Movement Disorders Research and Rehabilitation Centre
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
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)
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) section III | change from baseline, 12 weeks, and 2 week washout | clinician monitored motor evaluation |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 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 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 |
| 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) |
Countries
Canada
Contacts
Primary ContactAdam K Koebel, BSc
Backup ContactPatricia Freeman
Outcome results
None listed