Clinical trial NCT06750224: Comparative Effects of Alexander Techniques and Feldenkrais Method in Parkinson's Disease
Official title: Comparative Effects of Alexander Techniques and Feldenkrais Method on Balance, Fear of Fall and Quality of Life in Patients With Parkinson's Disease.
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION
Phase: NA
Conditions: Parkinson Disease
Keywords: Alexander techniques
balance
Feldenkrais method
fear of fall
quality of life
Parkinson's disease
Lead sponsor: Riphah International University
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2024-12-27
Enrollment: 46
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 50
Maximum age (years): 70
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by tremors, rigidity, and postural instability. These symptoms significantly impact balance and increase the risk of falls, which subsequently lead to a heightened fear of falling and a diminished quality of life. Alexander Technique and the Feldenkrais Method have shown effects in improving overall well-being.

The study is randomized clinical trial will be carried at General hospital. 46 participants meeting the inclusion criteria will be included in this study. Participants will be randomly assigned into 2 groups, Group A and Group B participants will receive Alexander techniques and Feldenkrais method, respectively. All the groups will receive interventions for three days a week for 8 weeks.

Detailed description: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor symptoms such as tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability. These symptoms significantly impact balance and increase the risk of falls, which subsequently lead to a heightened fear of falling and a diminished quality of life. Alexander Technique and the Feldenkrais Method have shown promise in improving motor function and overall well-being. The primary objective of this study is to compare the effects of the Alexander Technique and the Feldenkrais Method on balance, fear of falling, and quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease.

This randomized clinical trial will be carried at General hospital after the approval of permission letter. Total number of 46 participants meeting the inclusion criteria will be included in this study through a non-probability convenient sampling technique. Participants will be randomly assigned into 2 groups using computer generated randomization method. Group A and Group B participants will receive Alexander techniques and Feldenkrais method, respectively. All the groups will receive interventions for three days a week for 8 weeks. Total treatment time will be 40 minutes. The outcome measuring scales used will be Berg balance scale and time-up and go to measure balance, fall efficacy scale-international to measure fear of fall, and the Parkinson's disease questionnaire (PDQ-39) to measure quality of life. The data will be collected at baseline and after 8 weeks of therapy, to measure the outcome measures.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* The age group of 50 to 70 years will be included.
* Both genders (male and female)
* Patients diagnosed with Parkinson's disease of Hoehn and Yahr stage (1-3).
* Patient should be able to stand 10 minutes at least without assistance.
* Patients should be able to walk with or without assistance.
* MMSE (score higher than 24).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Recent surgery or any fracture
* Visual and hearing impairments.
* CVS impairments that interfered with therapy
* Joint pain or musculoskeletal problem that interfered with therapy

Primary outcomes:
measure: Berg balance scale
timeFrame: 8 weeks
measure: Time up and go (TUG)
timeFrame: 8 weeks
measure: Fall efficacy scale-international (FES-I)
timeFrame: 8 weeks
measure: Quality of life questionnaire for Parkinson's PDQ-39
timeFrame: 8 weeks
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Lahore
country: Pakistan
facility: General hospital
state: Punjab
Study officials:
affiliation: Riphah International University
name: Sabiha Arshad, M.Phill
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References:
citation: Teixeira-Machado L, de Araújo FM, Menezes MA, Cunha FA, Menezes T, Ferreira CdS, et al. Feldenkrais method and functionality in Parkinson's disease: a randomized controlled clinical trial. International Journal on Disability and Human Development. 2017;16(1):59-66.
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citation: Babaei H, Alizadeh MH, Minoonezhad H, Movahed A, Maher R. Effectiveness of the Alexander Technique on quality of life in young men with upper crossed syndrome. Physical Treatments-Specific Physical Therapy Journal. 2024;14(2):125-36.
citation: Berland R, Marques-Sule E, Marin-Mateo JL, Moreno-Segura N, Lopez-Ridaura A, Sentandreu-Mano T. Effects of the Feldenkrais Method as a Physiotherapy Tool: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Oct 22;19(21):13734. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192113734.
citation: Pour Kamali T, Yazdkhasti F, Oreyzi HR, Chitsaz A. A Comparison of Effectiveness of Dohsa-hou and the Alexander Technique on Happiness, Social Adjustment, Hope, Mental Health, and Quality of Life in Patients with Parkinson's Disease. Japanese Psychological Research. 2018;60(2):87-98.
citation: Cohen RG, Baer JL, Ravichandra R, Kral D, McGowan C, Cacciatore TW. Lighten Up! Postural Instructions Affect Static and Dynamic Balance in Healthy Older Adults. Innov Aging. 2020 Mar 24;4(2):igz056. doi: 10.1093/geroni/igz056. eCollection 2020.