Category: Parkinson’s Disease: Clinical Trials
Objective: To determine if the benefits associated with RSB and PD SAFExTM on the motor symptoms of PD wash out over time.
Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive disorder resulting in poor quality of life. Unfortunately, medications –prescribed to manage PD motor symptoms offer short-term effects (half life 1.5hrs) and eventually become less effective. As a result, exercise is often prescribed as an adjunct therapy to medications. Animal models suggest vigorous exercise and sensory training may be most likely to have a chronic effect on PD due to lasting improvements seen post-cessation of exercise (8-weeks post intervention)1-3. Currently, Rock Steady Boxing (RSB) is the most popular vigorous exercise program available for PD. Similarly, one of the most cited sensory programs for PD is PD SAFExTM. However, studies investigating the effects of RSB and PD SAFExTM on PD motor symptoms have mainly focused on short-term improvement rather then chronic effects. Thus an investigation of the chronic effects of both therapies on PD motor symptoms is needed.
Method: In this 20-week study single-blinded randomized controlled trial, 40 participants with idiopathic PD were randomized into two treatment groups, (n=20) RSB or (n=20) PD SAFExTM where participants completed 10-weeks of the intervention. Motor symptoms were assessed at pre-assessment (week-0), post-assessment (week-10) and washout (week-20) using the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS-III) by a blinded clinician. Data was analyzed using SPSS and repeated measures ANOVA was conducted.
Results: Motor severity was equivalent in the participants randomized into the RSB and PD SAFExTM groups at pre-assessment t(39)=1.7,p=0.097. The RSB group showed significant worsening of motor symptoms at washout compared to pre-assessment (F(1,19)=3.6,p<0.033). In contrast, PD SAFExTM showed significant improvement to motor severity from pre-to washout (F(1,19)=5.33m,p<0.002). Furthermore, there was no difference between post-assessment and washout for PD SAFExTM group (F(1,19)=.88,p=0.86).
Conclusion: RSB resulted in typical progression, with a minimal chronic effect on motor symptoms. Whereas the benefits associated with PD SAFExTM persisted 10-weeks post-intervention. Thus, careful evaluation of chronic benefits of exercise intervention may be critical in the long-term management of PD.
References: Ahlskog, J. E. (2011). Does vigorous exercise have a neuroprotective effect in Parkinson disease? Neurology, 77(3), 288–294. Grazielle, P., Desidério, D., Alves, L., Carvalho, D., Allodi, S., & Lourenço, C. (2016). Journal of the Neurological Sciences Neurotrophic factors in Parkinson ’ s disease are regulated by exercise : Evidence-based practice ☆. Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 363, 5–15. Hou, L., Chen, W., Liu, X., Qiao, D., & Zhou, F. M. (2017). Exercise-induced neuroprotection of the nigrostriatal dopamine system in Parkinson’s disease. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 9(358).
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
K. Sangarapillai, B. Norman, Q. Almeida. Are effects of Rock Steady Boxing and PD SAFExTM on the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease maintained long-term? – A single-blinded randomized controlled trial [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2020; 35 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/are-effects-of-rock-steady-boxing-and-pd-safextm-on-the-motor-symptoms-of-parkinsons-disease-maintained-long-term-a-single-blinded-randomized-controlled-trial/. Accessed September 7, 2024.« Back to MDS Virtual Congress 2020
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/are-effects-of-rock-steady-boxing-and-pd-safextm-on-the-motor-symptoms-of-parkinsons-disease-maintained-long-term-a-single-blinded-randomized-controlled-trial/