Golf Instruction Versus Tai Chi for People With Parkinson's Disease

Mass General Brigham

Status

Completed

Conditions

Neuro-Degenerative Disease

Movement Disorders

Parkinson Disease

Treatments

Other: Tai Chi Class

Other: Golf Instruction

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT03563807

2018P000394

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility and tolerability of golf instruction for participants with moderate to advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). Other forms of exercise have been shown to be beneficial for PD. Golf is a low impact sport that utilizes balance and strength. Currently, there are no data looking at the effects of golf on PD. This pilot study aims to test the effects of golf in the PD patient population, particularly its effect on balance. In this study, we will be comparing group golf instruction to group Tai Chi lessons (the gold standard balance exercise for patients with PD).

Full description

Approximately, 40-50 participants with Parkinson's Disease (H&Y stage 2 to 3) will be enrolled in this study. Participants who provide informed consent will be randomized 1:1 to either group golf instruction or group Tai Chi classes. Participants will be evaluated before and after the intervention with a battery of cognitive, motor and balance assessments including the UPDRS, the Mini-BESTest of balance, and timed up and go tests. They will participate in classes twice weekly for 10 weeks which will be provided free of charge. At the end of the intervention period they will repeat the assessments. The primary outcomes of the study are feasibility and tolerability. The key secondary objectives are to measure the efficacy of golf instruction on measures of balance, risk of falls.

Enrollment

35 patients

Sex

All

Ages

18+ years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Adult participants with a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease by a Movement Disorders specialist, H&Y stage II-III in the "On" state treated with Parkinson's disease medications
Participants must be capable of providing informed consent and complying with trial procedures including transportation to and from classes.
Participants must be willing and able to participate in group exercise classes.
Participants who are engaged in physical therapy or other exercise programs must be at a stable regimen for 60 days prior to the start of the study and must be willing to maintain their current regimen for the duration of the study.

Exclusion criteria

Clinical evidence of unstable medical or psychiatric illness which would prevent them from engaging in exercise
Participants who are already active golfers or currently active in Tai Chi would be excluded.