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

NCT07165106 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: AhiEvranUERH-FTR-NST-01
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 32
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief 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.

Conditions

PARKINSON DISEASE (Disorder); Sarcopenia

Keywords

rehabilitation; sarcopenia; exercises

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (5)

• Timed Up and Go Test (TUG Test)

  The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test measures mobility by timing a participant rising from a chair, walking 3 m, turning, and sitting down. Lower values indicate better performance. Unit of Measure: seconds

  BEFORE TREATMENT(WEEK 0),AT THE END OF TREATMENT (WEEK 6) AND AFTER TREATMENT (WEEK 12)

• 4-Meter Walking Speed

  Usual-pace walking speed over a 4-meter course, recorded as distance divided by time. Higher values indicate better performance. Unit of Measure: meters/second

  BEFORE TREATMENT(WEEK 0),AT THE END OF TREATMENT (WEEK 6) AND AFTER TREATMENT (WEEK 12)

• Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) Score

  Composite score including balance tests, 4-meter gait speed, and repeated chair stands; range 0 (worst) to 12 (best). Higher scores indicate better performance. Unit of Measure: score (0-12)

  BEFORE TREATMENT(WEEK 0),AT THE END OF TREATMENT (WEEK 6) AND AFTER TREATMENT (WEEK 12)

• Handgrip Strength

  Maximal isometric handgrip strength of the dominant hand measured with a handheld dynamometer. Higher values indicate better strength

  BEFORE TREATMENT(WEEK 0),AT THE END OF TREATMENT (WEEK 6) AND AFTER TREATMENT (WEEK 12)

• Five Times Chair Stand Test

  Time (in seconds) to rise from a chair and sit back down five consecutive times without using arms. Lower values indicate better performance. Unit of Measure: seconds

  BEFORE TREATMENT(WEEK 0),AT THE END OF TREATMENT (WEEK 6) AND AFTER TREATMENT (WEEK 12)

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• MDS-UPDRS Part II: Motor Aspects of Experiences of Daily Living

  BEFORE TREATMENT(WEEK 0),AT THE END OF TREATMENT (WEEK 6) AND AFTER TREATMENT (WEEK 12)

Study Arms (3)

Conventional rehabilitation + Aerobic exercise

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive a standard conventional rehabilitation program combined with supervised aerobic exercise training (e.g., treadmill ) according to guideline-based frequency, intensity, and duration.

Behavioral: Aerobic Exercise; Behavioral: Conventional Rehabilitation

Conventional rehabilitation + Resistance exercises

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive a standard conventional rehabilitation program combined with supervised resistance exercise training targeting major muscle groups with free weights or elastic bands.

Behavioral: Resistance Exercise; Behavioral: Conventional Rehabilitation

Conventional rehabilitation

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will receive only the standard conventional rehabilitation program without any additional aerobic or resistance exercise.

Behavioral: Conventional Rehabilitation

Interventions

Resistance Exercise BEHAVIORAL

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.

Also known as: Resistance training

Conventional rehabilitation + Resistance exercises

Conventional Rehabilitation BEHAVIORAL

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

Also known as: Conventional therapy

Conventional rehabilitation; Conventional rehabilitation + Aerobic exercise; Conventional rehabilitation + Resistance exercises

Aerobic Exercise BEHAVIORAL

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.

Also known as: Aerobic training

Conventional rehabilitation + Aerobic exercise

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 40 Years - 85 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Male and female patients aged 40-85 years with a clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.
• Diagnosis of sarcopenia according to the EWGSOP2 criteria.
• Hoehn \& Yahr stage 2-3.
• Ability and willingness to provide written informed consent according to the approved study consent form.

You may not qualify if:

• Failure to meet diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia.
• Hoehn \& Yahr stage 1 or 4.
• History of malignancy.
• Epilepsy.
• History of cardiac pacemaker implantation.
• Presence of congestive heart failure.
• Orthopedic conditions affecting walking or balance.
• Respiratory disorders impairing exercise capacity.
• Uncontrolled hypertension.
• Inability to cooperate with study procedures.
• History of neuromuscular or vestibular disorders affecting gait or balance parameters.
• Lack of willingness to participate in the study.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ahi Evran University Education and Research Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Kırşehir Ahi Evran University

Kırşehir, 40100, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Parkinson Disease; Sarcopenia; Motor Activity

Interventions

Exercise; Resistance Training

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Parkinsonian Disorders; Basal Ganglia Diseases; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Movement Disorders; Synucleinopathies; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Muscular Atrophy; Neuromuscular Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Atrophy; Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms; Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena; Exercise Therapy; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Physical Conditioning, Human

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Model Details: Three groups with a exercise control group

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 25, 2025
• First Posted: September 10, 2025
• Study Start: September 10, 2025
• Primary Completion: January 1, 2026
• Study Completion: January 1, 2026
• Last Updated: April 2, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)