Kick Out Parkinson's Disease- Karate Intervention

Summary

The benefits of exercise for general health and wellbeing in older adults are well-established. Balance exercises such as tai chi and yoga, along with resistance training, can improve or maintain physical function in older adults and enhance muscle strength. Furthermore, aerobic activity is critical for maintaining and improving cardiovascular and functional health. Noncontact boxing has recently seen a surge in popularity among individuals with Parkinson's Disease (PD), with components of both aerobic and balance exercise. While participants anecdotally note improvements in stress and physical function, this has only been minimally studied. However, drawing on this experience and the combined aerobic, balance, and mindfulness practices that comprise karate, we hypothesize that participation in structured karate programs may offer similar or greater benefits. Specifically, the aim of this study is to test whether and to what degree a community-based karate class tailored for individuals with early- to middle-stage Parkinson's Disease (PD) 1) is feasible; and 2) improves objective and patient-reported outcomes.

Conditions

• Parkinson Disease

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Karate Classes

Eligible subjects will engage in twice-weekly karate classes for 10 weeks, specifically designed for individuals with early to middle stage PD, focused on incorporating upper and lower limb movements in multiple directions, increasing awareness throughout the body, shifting body weight and rotation, relaxation of the muscles, improving reaction time, using complex repetitive actions to improve coordination, footwork training and centered weight shifts to help with fall prevention, and striking shields for self-defense and stress relief.

BEHAVIORAL

Pre-Intervention Focus Group

At the pre-intervention focus group, the study logistics will be reviewed, informed consent process will occur, the subject will complete a brief, individual pre-intervention assessment focused on overall mobility, gait, balance, mood, neurological status, and quality of life, and the subjects will be prompted to share aloud their thoughts on exercise, balance, and mindfulness practices in general and in PD specifically, and any expectations or preconceptions that they have regarding karate classes for PD.

BEHAVIORAL

Post-Intervention Focus Group

At the post-intervention focus group, the pre-intervention assessments will be readministered, along with an assessment of the subject's global impression of change. Subjects will be prompted to share their thoughts on how the intervention impacted their overall wellbeing, balance, and mindfulness; whether the intervention achieved their expectations; and they will be asked to provide feedback for improvements.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Rush University Medical Center

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Jori Fleisher, MD · Rush University Medical Center

Study Design

Allocation

NA

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

30 Years

Max Age

90 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2018-06-18

Primary Completion

2018-09-06

Completion

2019-03-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations