NCT07165106

Effects of Resistance and Aerobic Exercises on Walking and Sarcopenic Parameters in Parkinson's Disease

Comparison of the Effects of Resistance and Aerobic Exercises Added to Conventional Rehabilitation Program on Walking and Sarcopenic Parameters in Patients With Sarcopenic Parkinson's Disease

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 32 (actual)
• Sponsor: Ahi Evran University Education and Research Hospital · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 40 Years – 85 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of resistance and aerobic exercises on the following outcomes in patients with sarcopenic Parkinson's disease: Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), gait speed, Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), handgrip strength, Five-Times Sit-to-Stand Test, and MDS-UPDRS Part II scores.

Detailed description

Female and male patients aged between 40 and 85 years, who meet the inclusion criteria, will be recruited from the Outpatient Clinic of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR), Ahi Evran University Kırşehir Training and Research Hospital. A total of 30 participants will be enrolled in the study. This is a prospective, randomized, controlled trial. Assessments will be performed at baseline (week 0), at the end of treatment (week 6), and at follow-up (week 12). Outcome measures will include: Handgrip strength Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) 4-meter gait speed test Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) Five-Times Sit-to-Stand Test (5CST) MDS-UPDRS Part II questionnaire In addition, at baseline, ultrasonographic measurement of anterior thigh muscle thickness will be performed. This value, expressed in millimeters, will be divided by the body mass index (BMI) to calculate the STAR (Sonographic Thigh Adjustment Ratio) index.Participants will be randomized into three treatment groups: Group 3 (Conventional Rehabilitation Program): Patients will receive a standard physical therapy program, 5 days per week, for 1 hour per session. The protocol will include range of motion exercises for upper and lower extremities, stretching, walking, balance and coordination training, proprioceptive exercises, postural exercises, obstacle negotiation training, and turning-in-place exercises. Group 2 (Conventional Rehabilitation + Resistance Training): In addition to the conventional program, patients will perform resistance exercises for major muscle groups of the upper and lower extremities using elastic resistance bands, 3 days per week. Group 1 (Conventional Rehabilitation + Treadmill Training): In addition to the conventional program, patients will undergo treadmill exercise consisting of a 5-minute warm-up, 15 minutes of main exercise, and 5 minutes of cool-down. Walking speed will be individually adjusted according to participant tolerance, and exercise intensity will be monitored using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale. Treadmill speed will be progressively increased in subsequent sessions under controlled conditions.

Conditions

• PARKINSON DISEASE (Disorder)
• Sarcopenia

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Aerobic Exercise	Participants in this group will receive conventional rehabilitation in combination with supervised treadmill-based aerobic exercise three times per week for 6 weeks. Each exercise session will consist of a 5-minute warm-up, a 15-minute main exercise phase, and a 5-minute cool-down. Walking speed will be individualized based on participant tolerance and progressively increased under clinical supervision. Exercise intensity will be monitored using the modified Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (scale 6-20). Weeks 1-2: Main exercise at Borg 10-11 (light-moderate). Weeks 3-4: Main exercise at Borg 11-12 (moderate). Weeks 5-6: Main exercise at Borg 12-13 (moderate-high). Cardiorespiratory responses will be monitored during all sessions, and treadmill speed will be gradually adjusted in accordance with improvements in exercise tolerance while maintaining safety.
BEHAVIORAL	Resistance Exercise	Participants in this arm will receive conventional rehabilitation combined with supervised resistance training using elastic bands, 3 times per week for 6 weeks. Exercises target major upper- and lower-limb and hip muscles. Each exercise is performed for 3 sets of 10 repetitions with 60-90 seconds rest. Initial band tension is set at the highest tolerable level and progressively increased. The program includes shoulder press, biceps curl, triceps extension, seated leg extension, calf raise, and lateral band walk. All sessions are supervised, emphasizing correct posture, controlled full range of motion, and avoidance of compensatory movements. Patients are guided with verbal and visual cues when necessary.
BEHAVIORAL	Conventional Rehabilitation	Participants in this group will receive conventional rehabilitation only, 5 days per week, 1 hour per day, for 6 weeks. The program includes upper and lower limb range of motion exercises, stretching, walking practice, balance and coordination training, proprioceptive exercises, posture correction, obstacle crossing, and turning in place. All sessions are delivered under clinical supervision, with emphasis on correct posture, safety, and full range of motion

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-09-10
• Primary completion: 2026-01-01
• Completion: 2026-01-01
• First posted: 2025-09-10
• Last updated: 2026-04-02

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)