A Novel Balance Program to Improve Balance in People With Parkinson's Disease

Summary

The purpose of this exploratory single-blinded feasibility study is to explore the effects of a lateral stepping program integrated into an existing community-based group exercise program for people with PD. The researchers hypothesize that participation in a lateral stepping program a minimum of 2 times/week for 8 weeks, in addition to RSB class participation is feasible in middle to late stage PD and will decrease fall risk factors. The researchers also hypothesize that the integration of this program into an existing community-based RSB program will be deemed feasible as shown by the number of sessions attended by each participant.

Conditions

• Rehabilitation Exercise
• Physical Therapy

Interventions

OTHER

Lateral Stepping Exercise 1

1\. Standing hip abduction: Performed without and with resistance bands and/or support. The participant will raise one leg out to the side and return. If using a resistance band, one end of the band will be secured to a stable surface and the other end placed around one of the participants' ankles. The banded leg will be raised to the side. Three sets of 8-12 repetitions will be performed per side.

OTHER

Lateral Stepping Exercise 2

2\. Lateral stepping: Performed without and with resistance bands. The participant will perform a series of steps to the side. If using a resistance band, the band will be placed around both ankles in a 'loop' and the participant will perform the lateral stepping. Three sets of 8-12 repetitions will be performed per side per subject.

OTHER

Lateral Stepping Exercise 3

3\. Single leg stance: The participant will stand on one leg with support as needed. The contralateral knee will be held at 45 degrees throughout the exercise. The instructor will observe to ensure the bent leg does not contact the ground. Three repetitions of static stance per side will be performed with a goal of 30 seconds, and a maximum time of 60 seconds, per repetition.

OTHER

Lateral Stepping Exercise 4

4\. Staggered stance mini-squat: Participants will stand with the feet hip-width apart and one leg placed a short step forward. The participant will squat straight down keeping the trunk upright and return to an upright position.

OTHER

Lateral Stepping Exercise 5

5\. Lateral Reactive Postural Control: The participant will lean into the researcher's hand to shift their center of mass outside of their base of support. Hand placement will be at the glenohumeral joint and the pelvis. The researcher will withdraw support and guard the participant as the participant regains their balance. This is item 6 on the Mini-BESTest assessment that will be incorporated as an intervention. To be performed 3x per side.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The Touro College and University System

  collaborator OTHER

• New York Institute of Technology

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

NA

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

50 Years

Max Age

85 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-09-20

Primary Completion

2023-12-18

Completion

2023-12-18

Countries

• United States

Study Locations