Changes in Movement, Fitness, and Quality of Life in People With Parkinson's Disease After Different Exercise Programs

Part of paid clinical trials in El Paso, Texas.

Sponsor
University of Texas, El Paso
Study ID
NCT07221266
Status
Recruiting
Apply to this trial

Conditions

  • Parkinson Disease (PD)

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
50 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Guided Cycling — BEHAVIORAL
    Participants will complete supervised cycling sessions on a stationary ergometer twice per week for eight weeks. Exercise intensity is based on each participant's lactate threshold as determined by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). Each 60-minute session includes a warm-up, cycling intervals of varying intensity, and a cool-down. Heart rate and perceived exertion are monitored continuously to ensure safety and adherence to prescribed intensity zones.
  • Non-Contact Boxing — BEHAVIORAL
    Non-Contact Boxing Exercise Program Participants will engage in a structured, non-contact boxing program modeled after the Rock Steady Boxing® framework. Sessions are held twice weekly for eight weeks and include warm-up activities, agility and coordination drills, four boxing rounds using heavy and speed bags, and a circuit for balance and strength training. Each session concludes with a cool-down. All activities are supervised by licensed physical therapists trained in Parkinson's-specific exercise safety.
  • Traditional Physical Therapy Program (Standard of Care) — BEHAVIORAL
    Participants in this group will receive multimodal physical therapy sessions twice per week for eight weeks. Each 60-minute session includes aerobic training (cycling or treadmill), resistance and balance exercises, gait training, and task-specific functional activities such as transfers and turning. Intensity is maintained at 60-85% of maximum heart rate, with continuous heart-rate monitoring. Sessions are led by a licensed physical therapist following standard clinical practice guidelines.

Study Details

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurological condition that can affect movement, balance, endurance, and overall quality of life. Exercise is widely recognized as one of the most effective non-pharmacological treatments to help people with PD maintain function and independence. However, not all exercise programs produce the same results, and more research is needed to understand which types of exercise offer the greatest physical and physiological benefits. This study is designed to examine how different types of structured exercise programs influence motor function, cardiorespiratory fitness, and markers of overall health in individuals with Parkinson's disease. The goal is to better understand how exercise can be used to improve movement, daily activities, and general well-being, as well as how it affects the body at a physiological level. Participants will be adults diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinson's disease who are medically stable and able to safely participate in exercise. Before beginning the study, participants will complete screening procedures to ensure safety and eligibility. Eligible participants will then be assigned to one of several supervised exercise interventions conducted over a defined period. Each exercise program is designed to improve movement and function but differs in structure or training emphasis (for example, aerobic, functional, or task-specific activity). Exercise sessions will take place under the supervision of licensed physical therapist. Each session will include warm-up, exercise, and cool-down components. Intensity will be monitored using heart rate and perceived exertion to ensure safety and appropriate challenge. Participants will attend sessions multiple times per week for 8 weeks. Researchers will collect information about movement abilities, balance, walking, endurance, and daily function using standardized physical therapy assessments such as gait tests, balance measures, and questionnaires related to quality of life at baseline, after 8-weeks of intervention and once more after a 4-week follow-up. In addition, blood samples will be collected to analyze physiological responses to exercise at the same 3 testing intervals. These samples will allow investigators to measure biomarkers related to cardiovascular health, nitric oxide availability, oxidative stress, and inflammation. These biological indicators can help identify how exercise affects underlying health mechanisms that may contribute to improved function in people with Parkinson's disease. All data will be collected by trained research personnel who are experienced in working with individuals with Parkinson's disease. Participants will be monitored for safety at each session, and any adverse events will be documented and reviewed by the principal investigator and the Institutional Review Board (IRB). By comparing changes across the different exercise programs, this study aims to determine which interventions have the most meaningful impact on mobility, endurance, and quality of life, as well as which ones produce measurable physiological benefits. Results from this research may help guide physical therapists, rehabilitation professionals, and people with Parkinson's disease in choosing the most effective exercise approaches for maintaining function and promoting overall health. Ultimately, this project seeks to contribute to the growing evidence that targeted, engaging, and appropriately dosed exercise can play a key role in improving the lives of people living with Parkinson's disease. The findings may also help inform future clinical practice guidelines, community exercise programs, and long-term wellness strategies for individuals with movement disorders.

Key Dates

Start date
Apr 21, 2026
Status verified
May 2026
Primary completion
May 31, 2027
Completion
Jun 30, 2027

Study Design

Enrollment
45 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: Guided Cycling
    Participants in this group will complete supervised cycling sessions on a stationary ergometer twice per week for eight weeks. Exercise intensity will be based on each participant's lactate threshold, determined during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). Each session includes a warm-up, a 40-minute cycling protocol alternating low, moderate, and high intensities, and a cool-down. Heart rate and perceived exertion are continuously monitored.
  • Experimental: Non-contact Boxing
    Participants in this group will take part in a structured non-contact boxing program modeled after the Rock Steady Boxing® framework. Each 60-minute session includes warm-up, agility drills, four rounds of boxing activities (heavy bag, speed bag, mitt work, and double bag), balance circuits, and a cool-down. Sessions are led by a licensed physical therapist and certified boxing coach.
  • Active Comparator: Traditional Physical Therapy (Standard Care)
    Participants in this group will receive standard physical therapy sessions that include aerobic, balance, strengthening, gait, and task-specific training exercises. Each session lasts approximately 60 minutes and is conducted twice weekly for eight weeks under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. Exercise intensity is set between 60-85% of maximum heart rate, monitored throughout the session.

Primary Outcome Measure

Mini-BESTest Total Score [ Time Frame: Baseline, Week 10, Week 15. ]

Central Contacts

Locations (2)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
Move Therapy ServicesEl PasoTexas79935
Katherine M Reyes-Brooks, PT, DPT
[email protected]
915-307-3283
University of Texas at El Paso Doctor of Physical Therapy and Movement Sciences BuildingEl PasoTexas79902
Alvaro Gurovich, PT, PhD
[email protected]
915-747-7248

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By research site
Move Therapy Services· El Paso, TXUniversity of Texas at El Paso Doctor of Physical Therapy and Movement Sciences Building· El Paso, TX

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