Feasibility and Effects of a Pickleball Program for People With Parkinson Disease

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Pickleball is a fast-growing sport that has been shown to improve social integration, life satisfaction, function, and cognitive function in older adults. Parkinson disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by bradykinesia, rigidity, tremors, and postural instability. Exercise has been shown to improve physical and cognitive function in people with Parkinson disease (PD). The purpose of this study is to assess if a community pickleball program can be a feasible and effective for people living with PD.The primary aim of this study is to assess the feasibility of a group pickleball program for people with PD. Secondary aims is to assess the effects of a 6-week pickleball exercise program on balance, gait, cognition, upper extremity function, pain, and quality of life in people with PD. This will be a pre-test, post-test single-group, prospective, mixed-methods study with 1- month follow-up. Sixteen participants will be enrolled in a 6-week pickleball program, at a frequency of twice a week for one hour each session. Feasibility will be assessed by retention rates, adherence rates, resources, and number of adverse events. Quantitative data to be collected will include the Mini-BESTest, gait and body posture variables, Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-8, the Shirt-Buttoning Task, 9 Hole Peg Test, grip strength, PD-Pain Classification System, and the National Institutes of Health Toolbox Cognition Battery. Additionally, participants will be scheduled for small semi-structured focus group interviews to gain qualitative data about their experiences of the program. It is hypothesized that a pickleball program for people living with PD will be a feasible activity and will result in improvements in balance, gait, cognition, upper extremity function, and quality of life. Additionally, it is hypothesized that participants will have a favorable opinion on the activity.

Official Title
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A Community Pickleball Program for People With Parkinson Disease: A Feasibility and Preliminary Results Study

Conditions
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Parkinson Disease

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Pickleball program


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson disease, able to walk without an assistive device, and able to tolerate 45 minutes of activity with occasional seated rest. Exclusion Criteria: Diagnosis of any other neurologic disorder, any current illness, injury, or cognitive function that would prevent ability to perform the study tasks, and not regularly participating in pickleball (less than 3 times a month).

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
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Participants<br>A single group of participants with Parkinson disease will participate in a 6-week pickleball program with pre-test, post-test, and one month follow-up testing. | Other: Pickleball program<br>* The intervention will be a 6-week pickleball program, at a frequency of two times a week. Each session will be one hour which will consist of dynamic warm-up drills, pickleball-related skill practice and game play, and a cool-down period.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Mini-BEStest | Comprehensive balance assessment | Within 7 day before and after the intervention as well as one-month after intervention completion | 
| 10-Meter Walk Test | Measure of gait speed | Within 7 day before and after the intervention as well as one-month after intervention completion | 
| Grip strength dynamometry | Assessment of grip strength | Within 7 day before and after the intervention as well as one-month after intervention completion | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The shirt-buttoning task | An upper limb functional performance test | Within 7 day before and after the intervention as well as one-month after intervention completion | 
| 9-Hole Peg Test | Assessment of finger dexterity | Within 7 day before and after the intervention as well as one-month after intervention completion | 
| Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-8 | Measure of perceived quality of life | Within 7 day before and after the intervention as well as one-month after intervention completion | 
| PD-Pain Classification System | Tool for differentiating PD-pain from PD-unrelated pain | Within 7 day before and after the intervention as well as one-month after intervention completion | 
| Montreal Cognitive Assessment | Assessment of cognitive abilities | Within 7 day before and after the intervention as well as one-month after intervention completion |