Effects of Rock Climbing on Parkinson's Disease

Marymount University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Parkinson Disease

Treatments: Other: rock climbing

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05919771

831

Details and patient eligibility

About

This research study is being conducted to understand the outcomes of participation in the Up ENDing Parkinson's rock climbing program (24 sessions, or twice per week for about 12 weeks) on walking & mobility, hand strength & dexterity, and psychological well-being in individuals with Parkinson's Disease (PD). The rock climbing sessions are administered and supervised by Up ENDing Parkinson's, and are tailored to the skill level of the participant. Participants will answer questionnaires and complete physical performance tests twice, first prior to beginning the sessions and then again after the 24 sessions have been completed.

Full description

Parkinson's disease (PD) compromises multiple systems (neurological, musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary, cognitive) over time, leading to functional decline. Additionally, individuals with PD may experience stressors commonly associated with chronic illness that can negatively impact psychological well-being. Exercise is commonly prescribed for individuals with PD and recently, interventions that are vigorous in nature and community- and performance-based are gaining traction (e.g., dancing, boxing, rock climbing). Despite increasing popularity, the evidence-base for these programs is still developing and far from conclusive. Recommendations are strong for: Community-based exercise, intensive aerobic and resistance training, and external cueing (Osborne et al., 2022). Rock climbing (RC) contains each of these elements and could potentially be a therapeutic intervention for people with PD. Yet little is known about the outcomes of this particular form of organized physical activity programs for this health condition. One such program is the rock climbing experiences offered by the UpENDing Parkinson's Rock Climbing (UEPRC).

The specific aims of this study are to characterize the effects of UEPRC on: 1) mobility and walking; 2) upper extremity (UE) functioning and 3) psychological and social well-being.

Participants will complete 24 rock climbing sessions tailored to their skill levels supervised by UEPRC over approximately 12 weeks.

Enrollment: 32 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• at least 18 years old
• Diagnosis of Parkinson's disease
• Hoehn & Yahr score 1-3
• able to speak and read in English;
• able to ambulate at least 10 meters with no assistive device or human assistance

Exclusion criteria

• neurological disease diagnosis other than PD;
• uncontrolled cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological, or metabolic disease which may impact the ability to exercise or in which exercise is contraindicated;
• cognitive or psychiatric impairment precluding informed consent or ability to following instructions;
• pregnancy;
• inability to ambulate 10 meters without assistive device or human assistance