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

NCT03563807 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2018P000394
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 35
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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).

Conditions

Parkinson Disease; Movement Disorders; Neuro-Degenerative Disease

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Tolerability of group golf instruction compared to Tai Chi

  The number of participants who complete 10 weeks in the study will be measured using weekly attendance sheets. We will consider the intervention to be tolerable if the proportion of participants who withdraw consent prior to the end of the study is less than 40% with 80% confidence.

  Both interventions will continue for 10 weeks and subject participation rates will be recorded during this time.

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Safety of group golf instruction compared to Tai Chi

  Both interventions will continue for 10 weeks and any adverse events will be recorded during this time.

• Key Secondary objectives are to measure the efficacy of golf instruction compared to Tai Chi on measures of balance.

  Both interventions will continue for 10 weeks. The Mini-BESTest will be performed by a blinded rater before and after the intervention period.

• Activities Specific Balance Confidence Scale

  Both interventions will continue for 10 weeks. Participants will complete the questionnaire before and after the intervention period.

Study Arms (2)

Golf

EXPERIMENTAL

Group golf lessons will be led by professional golf instructors.

Other: Golf Instruction

Tai Chi

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Group Tai Chi classes led by a certified Tai Chi instructor.

Other: Tai Chi Class

Interventions

Golf Instruction OTHER

Subjects will participate in two weekly hour-long golf classes. Classes will be led by professional golf instructors that will work with individuals to teach participants how to play golf. This will include stretching, individual coaching, and working with participants to maximize their golf swing.

Golf

Tai Chi Class OTHER

Tai Chi is an ancient martial art that uses meditative movement to improve strength, flexibility, and balance. Subjects will participate in two weekly hour-long Tai Chi classes.The class will be led by a certified Tai Chi instructor and consist of approximately 12 people.

Tai Chi

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• 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.

You may not qualify if:

• 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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Massachusetts General Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States

Location

Related Publications (5)

• Mak MK, Wong-Yu IS, Shen X, Chung CL. Long-term effects of exercise and physical therapy in people with Parkinson disease. Nat Rev Neurol. 2017 Nov;13(11):689-703. doi: 10.1038/nrneurol.2017.128. Epub 2017 Oct 13.

  PMID: 29027544 BACKGROUND

• Li F, Harmer P, Fitzgerald K, Eckstrom E, Stock R, Galver J, Maddalozzo G, Batya SS. Tai chi and postural stability in patients with Parkinson's disease. N Engl J Med. 2012 Feb 9;366(6):511-9. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1107911.

  PMID: 22316445 BACKGROUND

• Gao KL, Hui-Chan CW, Tsang WW. Golfers have better balance control and confidence than healthy controls. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2011 Nov;111(11):2805-12. doi: 10.1007/s00421-011-1910-7. Epub 2011 Mar 17.

  PMID: 21416145 BACKGROUND

• Ernst M, Folkerts AK, Gollan R, Lieker E, Caro-Valenzuela J, Adams A, Cryns N, Monsef I, Dresen A, Roheger M, Eggers C, Skoetz N, Kalbe E. Physical exercise for people with Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2024 Apr 8;4(4):CD013856. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013856.pub3.

  PMID: 38588457 DERIVED

• Ernst M, Folkerts AK, Gollan R, Lieker E, Caro-Valenzuela J, Adams A, Cryns N, Monsef I, Dresen A, Roheger M, Eggers C, Skoetz N, Kalbe E. Physical exercise for people with Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2023 Jan 5;1(1):CD013856. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013856.pub2.

  PMID: 36602886 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Parkinson Disease; Movement Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Parkinsonian Disorders; Basal Ganglia Diseases; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Synucleinopathies; Neurodegenerative Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: A blinded rater will perform the Mini-BESTest of balance before and after the intervention
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor of Neurology

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 8, 2018
• First Posted: June 20, 2018
• Study Start: April 23, 2018
• Primary Completion: March 30, 2020
• Study Completion: June 1, 2020
• Last Updated: September 3, 2020

Record last verified: 2020-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)