Session Information
Date: Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Session Title: Non-Pharmacological Interventions
Session Time: 1:15pm-2:45pm
Location: Les Muses Terrace, Level 3
Objective: To evaluate feasibility of a community-based karate class tailored for individuals with early- to middle-stage Parkinson’s Disease (PD); to assess effect of karate on objective and patient-reported outcomes
Background: Different exercise modalities benefit PD patients. The karate program evaluated here incorporates vigorous resistance and aerobic activity with mindfulness in a community-based class of mild to moderate PD subjects.
Method: Open label, 10-week study of twice weekly, PD-specific, non-contact karate classes for patients with Hoehn & Yahr (HY) stage 1-3. Feasibility was assessed by overall dropout rate and adherence via attendance records. Participants completed pre- and post-intervention assessments of mobility (Timed up and Go), gait (Tinetti mobility test), quality of life (PDQ-8), and patient global impression of change (PGIC).
Results: We enrolled 19 participants; 15 completed all ten weeks of classes (79%), with mean adherence of 87% among completers. Reasons for withdrawal: scheduling conflicts, pre-existing sciatica, and appendicitis. Among those completing the study, 53% were women, median age 68 (range 39-80), PD duration of 6 years (range 2-20), and 93% were HY 2. We found significant improvements in quality of life (PDQ-8: 25.3 vs. 19.3, p = 0.01), and gait (Tinetti Mobility Test: 27.1 vs. 27.9 points, p = 0.01), and a trend toward improvement in mobility (Timed Up and Go: 9.6 vs. 9.0 seconds, p = 0.1). On the PGIC, 87% endorsed feeling moderately or considerably better. All met their self-defined pre-intervention goal, planned to continue karate, and would recommend it to a friend, respectively.
Conclusion: A twice-weekly karate class was met with high adherence and enthusiasm among people with early- to middle-stage PD. After ten weeks of participation, significant improvements were noted in gait, quality of life, and self-reported impression of change. Karate for PD is a promising intervention with potential to impact quality of life and mobility. This work has been accepted for presentation at AAN 2019 and WPC 2019.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
B. Sennott, C. Niemet, M. Lee, C. Whitelock, M. Sanghvi, Y. Liu, J. Chodosh, D. Hall, C. Comella, J. Fleisher. Kick Out PD: Mobility, Quality of Life, and Feasibility Outcomes in a Pilot Study of a PD-Specific Karate Intervention [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2019; 34 (suppl 2). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/kick-out-pd-mobility-quality-of-life-and-feasibility-outcomes-in-a-pilot-study-of-a-pd-specific-karate-intervention/. Accessed May 12, 2025.« Back to 2019 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/kick-out-pd-mobility-quality-of-life-and-feasibility-outcomes-in-a-pilot-study-of-a-pd-specific-karate-intervention/