Guided cycling, non-contact boxing, and physical therapy for movement, fitness, and quality of life in Parkinson's disease
Official title: Changes in Motor Function, Quality of Life, Cardiorespiratory Fitness, and Physiological Markers in People With Parkinson's Disease Following Different Exercise Interventions.
Run by University of Texas, El Paso · NCT07221266 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 50 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 45 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Texas, El Paso Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (El Paso, Texas and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | April 21, 2026 |
| Main results expected | May 31, 2027 |
| Study ends | June 30, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | May 8, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07221266 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a 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.
✕Probably 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.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
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.
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 gone: 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.
Who can join: the full rules
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 it's running
-
University of Texas at El Paso Doctor of Physical Therapy and Movement Sciences Building
El Paso, Texas, United States Recruiting -
Move Therapy Services
El Paso, Texas, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Katherine M Reyes-Brooks, PT, DPT — University of Texas, El Paso
- Study coordinator: Katherine M Reyes-Brooks, PT, DPT
- Email: kmreyesbrooks@utep.edu
- Phone: 915-747-6122
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Parkinson’s Risk in Gaucher Disease Type 1
This study tests how Parkinson’s risk relates to GBA1-related Gaucher disease in adults over 40, by collecting detailed clinical data and samples for future research.
-
Can the Ronnie Gardiner Method improve thinking and daily function in people with Parkinson’s
In this 10-week program, adults with Parkinson’s disease will try the Ronnie Gardiner Method to see if it helps thinking, talking, movement, balance, and quality of life.
-
Effects of excitatory and inhibitory LIFUS of GPi in Parkinson’s patients without DBS
This study tests two deep-brain focused ultrasound patterns on people with Parkinson’s to see if they change task performance and tremor, compared with a sham stimulation.
-
Capacitive-resistive radiofrequency therapy for people with Parkinson's disease
This study tests four TECAR therapy protocols on the legs to see which best reduces muscle stiffness and improves walking in people with Parkinson's disease.
-
TRB-001 safety and immune response in early Parkinson's disease
This early-phase study tests TRB-001 against placebo to see if it is safe and prompts an immune response in people with recently diagnosed Parkinson’s disease.
-
Bayesian optimization to tune DBS for better gait in Parkinson’s patients
This study tests whether using Bayesian optimization can quickly find DBS settings that lengthen step length in people with Parkinson's who already have DBS in place.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.