High-Speed Yoga and Executive Function

University of Miami

Status: Completed

Conditions: Quality of Life; Parkinson Disease; Executive Dysfunction

Treatments: Behavioral: High-speed yoga multi-directional yoga

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04215900

20191202

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this research study is to establish if a novel high-speed yoga program which incorporates visual cues can make a positive change in the participant's ability to make decisions and move as measured by several cognitive, balance and functional tests. It has been shown that yoga can improve balance and movement in those diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

Full description

The purpose of this research study is to establish if a novel high-speed yoga program which incorporates visual cues can make a positive change in the participant's ability to make decisions and move as measured by several cognitive, balance and functional tests. It has been shown that yoga can improve balance and movement in those diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Subjects will be randomly assigned to either the high-speed yoga group or an inactive control group. All subjects will be tested before and after the 16 week training period using tests of balance, cognition and functional movement. The high-speed yoga group will receive yoga sequences lead by a certified yoga instructor during each of the 32 visits to the yoga studio. Each session will last one hour and be conducted two times per week. The program will consist of several different balance poses and movements where participants are encouraged to move quickly. Participants will also be asked to move in different directions based on colored lines placed on the yoga mat. To ensure a safe environment, several assistants will be present to help participants move into each pose. In addition, several assistive devices such as chairs and yoga blocks will be available if participants chose to use them.

Enrollment: 30 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 50 to 85 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. Men and women between 50 and 85 years of age (inclusive);
2. Diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease (Hoehn and Yahr scale I-III);
3. Ability to ambulate with or without an assistive device for at least 50 ft;
4. Ability to get up and down from the floor with minimal assistance;
5. Ability to provide informed consent;
6. No medical contraindication to participation in an exercise program including unstable or active untreated major medical illness (i.e., cardiovascular disease, neurological or neuromuscular diseases, stroke, cancer, etc.);
7. A score of 23 or above on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment;
8. Not currently participating in yoga more than one time per week;
9. Can understand and communicate in English.
10. Willing and bale to provide consent.

Exclusion criteria

1. Existing musculoskeletal injury.
2. Severe freezing of gait.
3. Enrolled in another yoga or research program.
4. Unstable or active major medical illness.
5. Answer "Yes" to any questions on the PAR-Q or Elder PAR-Q.
6. Pregnancy

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

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30 participants in 2 patient groups

High-Speed Multi-Directional Yoga

Experimental group

Description:

The duration of the intervention is 18 weeks, with 16 weeks of training.

Treatment:

Behavioral: High-speed yoga multi-directional yoga

Waitlist control

No Intervention group

Description:

During the course of the 18 week study this arm will receive no intervention. Participants will be encouraged to maintain their daily schedules.Following the completion of the study the participants will be offered eight yoga sessions over a one month period.