Comparative Effects of Alexander Techniques and Feldenkrais Method in Parkinson's Disease

NCT06750224 | Enrolling By Invitation

• 1 other identifier: REC/RCR & AHS/24/0248
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 46
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by tremors, rigidity, and postural instability. These symptoms significantly impact balance and increase the risk of falls, which subsequently lead to a heightened fear of falling and a diminished quality of life. Alexander Technique and the Feldenkrais Method have shown effects in improving overall well-being. The study is randomized clinical trial will be carried at General hospital. 46 participants meeting the inclusion criteria will be included in this study. Participants will be randomly assigned into 2 groups, Group A and Group B participants will receive Alexander techniques and Feldenkrais method, respectively. All the groups will receive interventions for three days a week for 8 weeks.

Conditions

Parkinson Disease

Keywords

Alexander techniques; balance; Feldenkrais method; fear of fall; quality of life; Parkinson's disease

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Berg balance scale

  It is a 14-item list with each item consisting of a five-point ordinal scale ranging from 0 to 4, with 0 indicating the lowest level of function and 4 the highest level of function and takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. It does not include the assessment of gait. A score of 56 indicates functional balance. A score of \<45 indicates individuals may be at greater risk of falling. A score of ≤49 indicates a risk of falls in individuals with stroke.

  8 weeks

• Time up and go (TUG)

  The patient starts in a seated position. The patient stands up upon therapist's command: walks 3 meters, turns around, walks back to the chair and sits down. The time stops when the patient is seated. An older adult who takes ≥12 seconds to complete the TUG is at risk for falling. In Parkinson's, the patient is at high risk of fall if he takes more than 11.5 seconds.

  8 weeks

• Fall efficacy scale-international (FES-I)

  It is a 16-item questionnaire, with a score ranging from minimum 16 (no concern about falling) to maximum 64 (severe concern about falling).

  8 weeks

• Quality of life questionnaire for Parkinson's PDQ-39

  PDQ-39 comprises 39 questions from 8 dimensions which include mobility, activities of daily of living, emotional well-being, stigma, social support, cognition, communication, and bodily discomfort.

  8 weeks

Study Arms (2)

alexander

EXPERIMENTAL

Group A will receive therapy according to Alexander techniques for every alternate day (3 days per week) for 8 weeks. Total 40 minutes of session.

Other: Alexander technique

feldenkrais

EXPERIMENTAL

Group B will receive therapy according to Feldenkrais method for every alternate day (3 days per week) for 8 weeks. Total 40 minutes of session

Other: Feldenkrais method

Interventions

Alexander technique OTHER

24 sessions for 8 weeks, per week 3 sessions will be given

alexander

Feldenkrais method OTHER

The method is divided into eight lessons according to 'Awareness Through Movement'. Each lesson will be given three times for one week.

feldenkrais

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 50 Years - 70 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• The age group of 50 to 70 years will be included.
• Both genders (male and female)
• Patients diagnosed with Parkinson's disease of Hoehn and Yahr stage (1-3).
• Patient should be able to stand 10 minutes at least without assistance.
• Patients should be able to walk with or without assistance.
• MMSE (score higher than 24).

You may not qualify if:

• Recent surgery or any fracture
• Visual and hearing impairments.
• CVS impairments that interfered with therapy
• Joint pain or musculoskeletal problem that interfered with therapy

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

Study Sites (1)

General hospital

Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan

Location

Related Publications (9)

• Teixeira-Machado L, de Araújo FM, Menezes MA, Cunha FA, Menezes T, Ferreira CdS, et al. Feldenkrais method and functionality in Parkinson's disease: a randomized controlled clinical trial. International Journal on Disability and Human Development. 2017;16(1):59-66.

  BACKGROUND

• Sedaghati P, Goudarzian M, Daneshmandi H, Ardjmand A. Effects of Alexander-based corrective techniques on forward flexed posture, risk of fall, and fear of falling in idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Archives of Neuroscience. 2018;5(2).

  BACKGROUND

• Hafezi M, Rahemi Z, Ajorpaz NM, Izadi FS. The effect of the Alexander Technique on pain intensity in patients with chronic low back pain: A randomized controlled trial. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2022 Jan;29:54-59. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2021.09.025. Epub 2021 Oct 9.

  PMID: 35248289 BACKGROUND

• Kang SH, Kim J, Kim I, Moon YA, Park S, Koh SB. Dance Intervention Using the Feldenkrais Method Improves Motor, and Non-Motor Symptoms and Gait in Parkinson's Disease: A 12-Month Study. J Mov Disord. 2022 Jan;15(1):53-57. doi: 10.14802/jmd.21086. Epub 2021 Nov 3.

  PMID: 34724780 BACKGROUND

• Gross M, Condie C, Grieb J, Cohen R. Poised for Parkinson's: Retention of benefits 6-7 months after Alexander technique synchronous online group course. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2022;103(12):e150.

  BACKGROUND

• Babaei H, Alizadeh MH, Minoonezhad H, Movahed A, Maher R. Effectiveness of the Alexander Technique on quality of life in young men with upper crossed syndrome. Physical Treatments-Specific Physical Therapy Journal. 2024;14(2):125-36.

  BACKGROUND

• Berland R, Marques-Sule E, Marin-Mateo JL, Moreno-Segura N, Lopez-Ridaura A, Sentandreu-Mano T. Effects of the Feldenkrais Method as a Physiotherapy Tool: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Oct 22;19(21):13734. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192113734.

  PMID: 36360614 BACKGROUND

• Pour Kamali T, Yazdkhasti F, Oreyzi HR, Chitsaz A. A Comparison of Effectiveness of Dohsa-hou and the Alexander Technique on Happiness, Social Adjustment, Hope, Mental Health, and Quality of Life in Patients with Parkinson's Disease. Japanese Psychological Research. 2018;60(2):87-98.

  BACKGROUND

• Cohen RG, Baer JL, Ravichandra R, Kral D, McGowan C, Cacciatore TW. Lighten Up! Postural Instructions Affect Static and Dynamic Balance in Healthy Older Adults. Innov Aging. 2020 Mar 24;4(2):igz056. doi: 10.1093/geroni/igz056. eCollection 2020.

  PMID: 32226825 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Parkinson Disease

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Study Officials

• Sabiha Arshad, M.Phill

  Riphah International University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 20, 2024
• First Posted: December 27, 2024
• Study Start: October 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: February 1, 2025
• Study Completion: May 1, 2025
• Last Updated: January 14, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)