Guided cycling, non-contact boxing, and physical therapy for movement, fitness, and quality of life in Parkinson's disease

Changes in Motor Function, Quality of Life, Cardiorespiratory Fitness, and Physiological Markers in People With Parkinson's Disease Following Different Exercise Interventions.

Not applicable Interventional University of Texas, El Paso · NCT07221266

This study will test whether guided cycling, non-contact boxing, or standard physical therapy best improve movement, fitness, and quality of life for adults with Parkinson's disease.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment45 (estimated)
Ages50 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Texas, El Paso Academic / other
Locations2 sites (El Paso, Texas and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT07221266 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized, controlled, parallel-group trial assigns adults with idiopathic Parkinson's disease to guided cycling, non-contact boxing, or traditional physical therapy delivered twice weekly for eight weeks. Interventions are supervised by licensed physical therapists in outpatient and community settings with intensity tailored to each participant. Outcomes include motor function, cardiorespiratory fitness, and physiological health markers measured at baseline, after the intervention, and following a four-week washout. Total participation is about 15 weeks to capture immediate training effects and short-term retention.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are ambulatory adults aged 50 or older with idiopathic Parkinson's disease at Hoehn and Yahr stage 1–3 who are medically stable and speak English or Spanish.

Not a fit: People with advanced disease (Hoehn and Yahr stage 4–5), non-ambulatory individuals, or those with recent stroke, recent heart attack, unmanaged Parkinson's medications, or significant osteoporosis are unlikely to benefit or may be excluded.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the results could identify which exercise approach most effectively improves movement, endurance, and daily function for people with Parkinson's disease.

How similar studies have performed: Previous trials show exercise benefits people with Parkinson's and separate studies report benefits from high-intensity cycling and boxing, but direct head-to-head comparisons of these specific approaches are limited.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease
2. Independent ambulation
3. Hoehn and Yahr stage of 1-3
4. 50 years of age or older
5. Must speak English or Spanish

Exclusion Criteria:

1. History of stroke
2. History of heart attack
3. Non-ambulatory
4. Hoehn and Yahr of stage 4 or 5
5. Osteoporosis
6. Unmanaged Parkinson's medication

Where this trial is running

El Paso, Texas and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Parkinson DiseaseParkinson's DiseaseExercise interventionPhysical TherapyGuided CyclingNon-contact boxingAerobic ExerciseQuality of Life
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.