Aquatic therapy to improve daily activities, walking, balance, posture, pain, and depression in Parkinson's disease
Evaluation of the Effects of Aquatic Therapy on Activities of Daily Living, Walking, Balance, Posture, Pain, and Depression in Parkinson's Patients
This trial will test whether adding supervised aquatic therapy to home exercises helps people with mild-to-moderate Parkinson's disease walk and balance better, reduce pain, and improve daily activities and mood.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 42 (estimated) |
| Ages | 40 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Ankara City Hospital Bilkent Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Çankaya, Ankara and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07390825 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This single-blind, randomized controlled trial at Ankara City Hospital will enroll 42 people with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (Hoehn & Yahr stages 1–3). Participants are randomized to a home-based exercise program alone (five days/week for six weeks) or the same home program plus three supervised 45-minute aquatic therapy sessions per week in a 30–32°C pool. Outcomes include gait, balance, posture, freezing of gait, activities of daily living, pain, and depression measured before and after the six-week intervention. The study combines clinical scales with objective gait and balance measures to compare the two groups.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people aged 40–80 with idiopathic Parkinson's disease at Hoehn & Yahr stages 1–3, on a stable medication regimen for at least three months, with MMSE ≥24, and able to stand and walk with or without assistance.
Not a fit: People with advanced disease (Hoehn & Yahr stage 4–5), atypical parkinsonism, dementia, unstable cardiac or respiratory failure, active skin infections, or inability to safely enter a pool are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, adding aquatic therapy could improve walking, balance, pain, daily functioning, and mood for people with mild-to-moderate Parkinson's without the joint stress of high-impact land exercise.
How similar studies have performed: Several small or nonrandomized studies and rehabilitation programs have reported improvements in balance, gait, and quality of life with aquatic therapy, but robust randomized evidence is still limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Having a diagnosis of Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease between the ages of 40-80 and consenting to the treatment. * Being regularly followed by a neurologist and having a stable medical treatment regimen for at least 3 months. * Having a disease stage between 1-3 according to the Modified Hoehn-Yahr Staging Scale (MHY). * A score of 24 or higher on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). * Being able to verticalize independently and ambulate with or without assistance. Exclusion Criteria: * Having orthopedic, rheumatological, or non-Parkinson's neurological disorders that affect functional status. * Having a medical treatment regimen that has been modified within the last 3 months. * Presence of Atypical Parkinson's Disease. * Visual impairment. * Presence of dementia. * Decompensated cardiac or respiratory failure. * Diabetes insipidus. * Presence of systemic infection. * Impaired skin integrity or the presence of skin infections. * Increased sensitivity to inhaled steam or water chemicals. * History of epilepsy or asthma. * Urinary or fecal incontinence. * Refusal to participate in or consent to the treatment.
Where this trial is running
Çankaya, Ankara and 1 other locations
- Bilkent City Hospital — Çankaya, Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
- Bilkent City Hospital — Ankara, Çankaya, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Duygu Yanıktaş, MD
- Email: yanktasduygu@gmail.com
- Phone: +905059025460
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.