Effects of Complementary Therapies in People With Mild to Moderate Parkinson's Disease

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of Hatha Yoga versus Stretching on physical outcomes, quality of life, physical activity and motor examination in persons with Parkinson Disease. The hypothesis of this study is that Hatha Yoga will improve more than Stretching on physical outcomes, quality of life, physical activity and on motor examinations in persons with parkinson Diseases

Individuals diagnosed with Parkinson 's disease, signed up at the Parkinson's association in Asparbi (Bilbao, Basque Country), and meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the study. These individuals were randomly assigned (in a 1:1 ratio) through sealed opaque envelopes to either to Hatha Yoga group and Stretching group by coin tossing sequence generation Both programs consisted of one weekly session for a total of eight weeks. Hatha Yoga group performed warm-up exercises for 10 minutes, standing, sitting and supine positions of Hatha yoga (30 minutes), and relaxation and breathing exercises (20 minutes). Stretching group performed warm-up activities (10 minutes), and analytic stretching exercises targeting the following muscles: sternocleidomastoid, splenius, trapeze, triceps, posterior shoulder capsule, paravertebralis, hamstrings, quadriceps, gastrocnemius, soleus and tibialis anterior (40 minutes). Two repetitions of 15 seconds of each stretch were performed, with 15 seconds interval between repetitions. The sessions ended with diaphragmatic breathing exercises (10 minutes). Demographic information form was filled out by patients including information about: age, height (cm), weight (kg). Additionally, the following measures are going to be measured: Postural control is assessed with a stabilometric platform. Flexibility ( Back Scratch Test and Chair Sit and Reach Test) Time Up and Go test (TUG) 5 Times Sit to Stand Test Walking speed Unified Parkinson´s Diseases Rating Scale III (UPDRS-III) International Physical Activity Questionnaires (IPAQ) Parkinson´s Disease Questionnaires- 39 (PDQ-39) SPSS version 22 program was used in the analysis of the data. Mann Whitney U test, Wilcoxon test, Student T test and two-way mixed Anova were used to analyse the results.

Participants were randomly assigned (in a 1:1 ratio) through sealed opaque envelopes to either to the yoga group or the stretching group by coin tossing sequence generation.

Patients in the yoga group performed warm-up exercises for 10 minutes, standing, sitting and supine positions of Hatha yoga (30 minutes), and relaxation and breathing exercises (20 minutes). The program consisted of one weekly session for a total of eight weeks.

Patients in the stretching group performed warm-up activities (10 minutes), and analytic stretching exercises targeting the following muscles: sternocleidomastoid, splenius, trapeze, triceps, posterior shoulder capsule, paravertebralis, hamstrings, quadriceps, gastrocnemius, soleus and tibialis anterior (40 minutes). Two repetitions of 15 seconds of each stretch were performed, with a 15 seconds interval between repetitions. The sessions ended with diaphragmatic breathing exercises (10 minutes). The program consisted of one weekly session for a total of eight weeks.

Height is going to be assessed by portable stadiometer (Aisemed T226) to determine change from baseline.

Postural control, static balance is assessed with an stabilometric platform to determine change from baseline.

Flexibility of the upper limb is going to be assessed by the test of the Senior Fitness Test Back Scratch Test, to determine change from baseline.

Flexibility of the lower limb is going to be assessed by the test of the Senior Fitness Test Chair Sit and Reach Test, to determine change from baseline.

Dynamic balance and agility is going to be assessed by Time Up and Go test to determine change from baseline.

Lower limb strength is going to be assessed by 5 Times Sit to Stand Test to determine change from baseline.

Walking speed is going to be assessed by walking 12 m, and photocells will be placed at 1 m and 11 m, recording time of 10 m to determine change from baseline.

Motor examination is going to be assessed by Unified Parkinson´s Diseases Rating Scale III to determine change form baseline. A higher score means a worse motor state. Total score subscale is 68.

Physical activity is going to be assessed by International Physical Activity Questionnaires to determine change from baseline. Results can be reported in categories (low activity levels, moderate activity levels or high activity levels) or as a continuous variable (Metabolic equivalent of task minutes a week). Metabolic equivalent of task minutes represent the amount of energy expended carrying out physical activity.

Quality of life score is going to be assess by Parkinson´s Disease Questionnaires- 39 to determine change from baseline. It has eight dimensions that are coded on a scale of 0 (perfect health as assessed by the measure) to 100 (worse health as assessed by the measure).

Inclusion Criteria: Medical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease Stages I to III on the Hoehn and Yahr scale Ability to stand upright unaided and walk with or without technical support Exclusion Criteria: Participate in another directed physical exercise program during the Project. Moderate or severe cognitive decline.