Effects of a Biomechanical-based Tai Chi Program on Gait and Posture in People With Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson Disease
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Parkinson Disease focused on measuring Parkinson's disease, Gait, postural stability, falls, Tai Chi
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Have been diagnosed with PD and demonstrate a disease severity ranging from 1 to 3 on the Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) scale
- Have no fluctuations in motor symptoms as reported by the motor section of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS-III)
- Have stable PD (such as levodopa or carbidopa) and doctor-prescribed medication use, that is, fluctuation did not occur at the time of medication intake;
- Can stand and walk independently
- Availability: three times per week over a period of 12 weeks
- Be able to engage in PA for at least 60 min on their own, thrice per week, without prior experience practicing TC regularly.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Enrolled into any other behavioral or pharmacological studies
- Have a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score of < 26/27 (that indicate some mild cognitive impairment (MCI))
- Have had a serious medical condition or uncontrolled hypertension (equal or greater than a systolic 180 or diastolic 110 reading)
- Have any debilitating conditions that could prevent them from performing any PA for a minimum of 60 minutes.
- Have practiced or have experience of practicing TC in an organized class or program within the last 5 years at the start of participation in the study.
Sites / Locations
- Human Movement Biomechanics Laboratory
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Active Comparator
Tai Chi group
Regular Physical Activity (control) group
The Tai Chi (TC) group will receive or be taught TC in a class size consisting of about 5-12 students. Classes will be taught by a TC master with more than 4 years of experience practicing either Yang or Wu style TC. The participants will be allowed to practice TC at home and during their leisure time so long as they keep an activity log of their daily TC practice. This monitoring form (i.e. activity log or journal) will be distributed to all members of this group and collected weekly.
The regular physical activity (control) group will be asked to maintain or engage in at least 60 minutes of regular physical activity on their own for three times per week. The participants will be instructed as to the type of regular PA that they may engage in. These types of PA include: walking, cleaning or performing chores inside the home, and/or climbing the stairs. No restriction will be made to limit others forms of physical activity; individuals in the control group will be permitted to engage in organized sports, instructor-led class such as boxing, dance, etc. to ensure the participant recruitment process is feasible. Similar to the TC group, participants in this group will be asked to complete an activity log (or journal) that will be collected weekly to monitor their regular PA levels.