Effects of exercise on memory and cognition 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 study investigates how cardiovascular training impacts memory formation and cognitive function in individuals with Parkinson's disease. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a cardiovascular training group or a stretching control group for twelve weeks, with sessions held three times a week. The primary focus is to determine if moderate-intensity cardiovascular training enhances procedural memory compared to stretching. Secondary outcomes will assess various cognitive functions, cardiorespiratory fitness, sleep quality, and levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the blood.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosed Parkinson's disease
* Disease stage ≤3 on the Hoehn \& Yahr scale
* Age ranging from 50 - 80 years
* Naive to the memory tasks (primary outcomes)
* Ability to stand and walk at least 10 meters independently

Exclusion Criteria:

* Atypical Parkinsonism
* Significant level of cognitive impairment (i.e., Montreal Cognitive Assessment \<21)
* Deep brain stimulation or brain pacemaker
* Diagnosed psychiatric illness
* Known clinically relevant neurological, internal or orthopedic conditions besides Parkinsonism that would interfere with the exercise paradigm
* Exceeding the recommended level of cardiovascular exercise for older adults (i.e., cardiovascular exercise done ≥150 min per week of moderate-intensity or ≥75 min per week of vigorous-intensity)

Where it's running

• Heidelberg University
  Heidelberg, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Simon Steib, Prof. Dr. — Heidelberg University
• Study coordinator: Simon Steib, Prof. Dr.
• Email: simon.steib@issw.uni-heidelberg.de
• Phone: +49 6221/544643

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• One-day exercise test to see how brain and body react in epilepsy, cognitive disorders, Parkinson's, dementia, and related conditions

  A one-day study tests how an acute bout of exercise changes brain function and bodily signals in people with certain neurological conditions compared with healthy individuals.

  Recruiting Brigham and Women's Hospital · Boston, Massachusetts · NCT07883720

• Tributyrin for PSP: a virtual, early-phase study

  This study tests whether tributyrin is safe and tolerable in people with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy who are 45 or older, using virtual visits.

  Recruiting Phase 1/2 University of Michigan · Ann Arbor, Michigan · NCT07863180

• A look at why Lewy body conditions cause visual hallucinations

  This study tests brain‑imaging in people with Lewy body diseases who do or don’t experience visual hallucinations, and in healthy volunteers, to see how brain networks might create these images.

  Recruiting NYU Langone Health · New York, New York · NCT07849413

• How physical activity might help people with Parkinson’s disease who have DBS-STN implants

  This study tests whether adding regular physical activity can help people with Parkinson’s who have DBS-STN stimulation by trying a structured physiotherapy approach alongside standard care.

  Recruiting Medical University of Warsaw · Warsaw · NCT07838636

• Can hippotherapy improve mobility, gait, balance, and quality of life in people with Parkinson's disease?

  This pilot trial tests whether adding horse-assisted therapy to standard rehab helps mobility, gait, balance, and perceived health in adults with Parkinson's disease.

  Recruiting Klinik Valens · Valens, Canton of St. Gallen · NCT07802509

• Gut methane and Parkinson's: measuring if a probiotic helps people with Parkinson's, REM sleep behavior disorder, or cognitive concerns

  This study tests whether a probiotic containing Limosilactobacillus reuteri can help people with Parkinson's disease, those at high risk for PD, and related cognitive issues by potentially improving gut methane levels and overall symptoms.

  Recruiting University of Cambridge · Cambridge, CB2 · NCT07786116

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.