Whole-body Vibration as a Treatment for Parkinson's Disease

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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
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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.

Official Title
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The Efficacy of Long-term Whole-body Vibration in the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease

Conditions
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Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease, Primary Parkinsonism

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: vibrating chair
* Device: sham treatment


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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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)

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 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: whole-body vibration<br>40 Hz Whole-body vibration applied via physioaccoustic method for 12 weeks, 3 times a week | Device: vibrating chair<br>* vibration provided via physioacoustic method<br>|
| Sham Comparator: sham treatment<br>simulated whole-body vibration applied 3 times a week for 12 weeks | Device: sham treatment<br>* simulated whole-body vibration<br>* Other names: placebo;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) section III | clinician monitored motor evaluation | change from baseline, 12 weeks, and 2 week washout | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Gait Assessment | pressure sensitive carpet (GAITRite) measuring gait parameters (step length, step velocity, stride-to-stride variability, etc) | change from baseline, 12 weeks, and 2 week washout | 
| Timed Up & Go (TUG) Test | measuring time participants take to stand up from chair, walk towards an obstacle, turn around, walk back to chair, and sit back down again | change from baseline, 12 weeks, and 2 week washout | 
| Timed Grooved Pegboard Task | 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) | change from baseline, 12 weeks, and 2 week washout | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Parkinson's Disease, whole-body vibration, WBV