An interventional study of aquatic Ai Chi and control in Parkinson Disease and Physical Disability, sponsored by Universidad de Almeria. Status unknown at 1 site in Spain. Open to participants aged 40 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2019-11-20.
Sponsored by Universidad de Almeria · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
The aim of this study is to determine the effect of an aquatic Ai Chi training program on the perception of pain, the maintenance of balance and the functional independence of patients with Parkinson's disease.
Fifteen patients diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (Hoehn and Yahr range: 1-3) participated in a program of Aquatic Ai Chi lasting ten weeks with sessions held twice weekly. These were compared to a group of 15 Parkinson patients (control group) who received therapy on dry land.
All study participants met the following inclusion criteria: individuals diagnosed with PD in stages 1 to 3 (Hoehn and Yahr Scale), older than 40 years, in the off phase (not medicated) and with a score greater or equal to 24 on the Mini-Mental State Examination Scale, without any medical contraindications and who accepted the study norms (regular assistance and active participation). The exclusion criteria were: individuals who did not comply with the above mentioned criteria, and the presence of articular and/or muscular lesions in the lower limbs affecting independent gait.
The procedure of randomization was performed for the overall sample using stratified randomization controlling for the Hoehn \& Yahr stage employing Excell software (Microsoft Excell 2013: Microsoft Corp. Redmond WA).
The participants received an initial assessment on dry land lasting 30-45 minutes, performed by a physiotherapist not involved in the study. Timetable norms were disclosed as well as recommendations regarding appropriate clothing for the activity. A baseline assessment was performed prior to commencing therapy. This was repeated upon completion of all sessions while a follow-up assessment took place one month later.
4,487 studies on the registry are indexed under Parkinson Disease; 1,082 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 30 is below the median of 40 across 3,294 interventional studies indexed under Parkinson Disease.
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Exclusion Criteria:
The 15 patients assigned to the aquatic therapy group (experimental group) received 20 twice-weekly sessions in total, during the same period of time as the control group. These 20 sessions consisted of group sessions lasting 45-minutes. The sessions were designed with a gradual increase in difficulty. Initially, a recreational warm-up activity was performed, followed by 30 minutes dedicated to practicing the Ai Chi Program. At the end of the session there was a calming down activity. The exercises were performed in a specific order, until completion of the 19 possible movements.
Other: aquatic Ai Chi
These sessions consisted of group sessions of supervised training lasting 45 minutes each. These comprised a 10-minute warm-up that included exercises for gait, trunk mobility and exercises involving the upper and lower limbs. The central part of the sessions consisted of 30-40 minutes of strength training and aerobic exercises, both individual and in groups. Each session was performed with a specific intensity goal, in order to end with a cooling down period, comprising 20 minutes of functional exercises based on activities of daily living, balance exercises, facial muscle exercises, proprioceptive exercises, muscle relaxation and stretching.
Other: control
The sessions took place in a pool measuring 20 m x 6 m, at a depth of 110 cm. The water temperature was 30oC (with variations of less than 0.5o) and the room temperature was 27.5oC (with variations of less than 1o). The proportions of the pool were ideally suited for collective treatment. The sessions were designed with a gradual increase in difficulty. Initially, a recreational warm-up activity was performed, followed by 30 minutes dedicated to practicing the Ai Chi Program. At the end of the session there was a calming down activity. The exercises were performed in a specific order, until completion of the 19 possible movements.
These sessions consisted of group sessions of supervised training lasting 45 minutes each. These comprised a 10-minute warm-up that included exercises for gait, trunk mobility and exercises involving the upper and lower limbs. The central part of the sessions consisted of 30-40 minutes of strength training and aerobic exercises, both individual and in groups. Each session was performed with a specific intensity goal, in order to end with a cooling down period, comprising 20 minutes of functional exercises based on activities of daily living, balance exercises, facial muscle exercises, proprioceptive exercises, muscle relaxation and stretching.
Pain assessed with VAS scale
VAS scale
Time frame: ten weeks
Balance assessed with Berg Balance scale
Berg Balance scale
Time frame: ten weeks
Functionality assessed with UPDRS scale
UPDRS scale
Time frame: ten weeks
Plan to share: Undecided
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Universidad de Almeria