Study of Tai Chi Exercise and Balance in Persons With Parkinson's Disease

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Patients practicing Tai Chi will exhibit significant improvements in primary outcome measures of balance, and secondary outcomes of gait, physical performance, Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, Falls, muscle strength.

Detailed Description
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The study is designed to determine the effects of Tai Chi training on balance and other functional outcomes in persons with Parkinson's disease.

Official Title
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Phase II Study of Tai Chi Exercise in Relation to Balance in Persons With Parkinson's Disease

Conditions
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Parkinson's Disease

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Tai Chi
* Behavioral: Strength training
* Behavioral: Low-Impact Exercise Control


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Patients who have: A diagnosis of idiopathic PD, with a disease severity rating of stage I to IV on the Hoehn and Yahr scale (Hoehn & Yahr, 1967) At least 1 score of 2 or more for at least 1 limb for either the tremor, rigidity, or bradykinesia item of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) Stable medication usage Not participated in a structured exercise program (i.e., not involved in any routine, organized physical activity program lasting 30 minutes or more per day, such as a gym program or regularly scheduled instructor-led exercise class) in the previous 2 months Ability to stand unaided or walk independently; had a personal physician's or neurologist's clearance for participation; and had a willingness to be assigned to intervention conditions. Exclusion Criteria: Patients who: Participate in any other behavioral or pharmacological research study Have cognitive decline (Mini-Mental State Examination score, ≤ 24) (Folstein et al., 1975) Have self-reported diagnosis of Alzheimer disease or other severe neurological (stage III and IV PD) Have evidence of progressive or debilitating conditions (metastatic cancer, severe heart or lung disease, crippling arthritis) or severe losses in vision and hearing that would limit their tolerance to testing and training procedures, that would interfere with study participation Are unavailable during the study period.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 40 Years
Maximum Age: 85 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Tai Chi<br> | Behavioral: Tai Chi<br>* a set of pre-designed Tai Chi Movements<br>|
| Active Comparator: B. Strength training<br> | Behavioral: Strength training<br>* Lower-extremity strength training exercises<br>|
| Other: C. Low-Impact<br> | Behavioral: Low-Impact Exercise Control<br>* a set of chair-based low-impact exercises<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Balance |  | 3 time points | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| gait, physical performance, Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, falls, Muscle strength |  | 3 time points |