Aquatic therapy to improve daily activities, walking, balance, posture, pain, and depression in Parkinson's disease

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

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.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

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 it's running

• 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

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.