Independent walking program with or without walking poles for people with Parkinson disease

Effects of an Independent Walking Program With Walking Poles in People With Parkinson Disease

This study will test whether an 8-week independent walking program using walking poles helps people with Parkinson disease improve their walking compared with walking without poles.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 40 (estimated)
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: East Tennessee State University (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Johnson City, Tennessee)
• Trial ID: NCT07551661 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Participants complete baseline measurements of walking, movement, and cognition and are trained in pole use if assigned to that group. They are then asked to walk at least three times per week for eight weeks and keep a walking log, either using walking poles or not using poles depending on assignment. Objective gait and mobility tests (including instrumented walkway measures, 6-minute walk, 10-meter walk, Timed Up and Go variants, and heart rate monitoring) plus questionnaires and clinical scales are repeated after the program. The same measurements are collected again three months after the intervention ends to track durability of any changes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: English-speaking adults with a Parkinson disease diagnosis who can walk safely on their own (with or without a cane), are medically cleared for an independent walking program, and can be physically present in the USA are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People with other neurological disorders, those who regularly used walking poles for exercise in the prior six months, individuals exceeding the study's weight or height limits, those unable to maintain the walking schedule, or those expecting Parkinson medication or DBS parameter changes during the intervention are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the program could improve walking speed, gait stability, balance confidence, and possibly reduce fall risk for people with Parkinson disease.

How similar studies have performed: Previous smaller studies of Nordic or pole-assisted walking in Parkinson disease have reported improvements in gait and balance, so this approach has some preliminary supportive evidence.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* English-speaking, diagnosis of Parkinson disease, ability to walk safely and independently with or without a cane, and medically cleared to participate in an independent walking program. Participants must be physically present in the USA at the time of assessment.

Exclusion Criteria:

* diagnosis of any neurological disease other than PD (including but not limited to stroke, dementia, and multiple sclerosis; mild cognitive impairment is not excluded), regular (\>30%) use of walking poles during walking for exercise for the prior 6 months, weight of more than 320 pounds or height more than 6'4", unable to participate in walking for more than 7 consecutive days during the study period (ie, traveling, scheduled surgery), anticipated change in Parkinson-specific medication (including additions, removals, or changes in dosage) during the intervention period, a change in deep brain stimulation (DBS) parameters during the intervention.

Where this trial is running

Johnson City, Tennessee

• East Tennessee State University — Johnson City, Tennessee, United States (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Tiffany Salido, PT, DPT, PhD

Conditions: PARKINSON DISEASE, walking, physical activity, gait, Nordic walking, arm swing, walking poles