Oklahoma State University
This study evaluates a manualized recreational therapy balance program for older adults with Parkinson's disease and movement disorders who live in small cities and rural areas of Oklahoma, where access to movement disorder specialists is limited. Twenty-four older adults with Parkinson's disease and movement disorders will be randomly assigned to one of two groups of 12. One group will attend the balance program continuously for 24 weeks. The other group will attend the program for 12 weeks and will then be observed for 12 weeks without the program. All sessions are led by a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and last about 50 minutes once a week. Participants will be assessed three times: before the program begins, at three months, and at six months. The assessments measure gait velocity and stride length, postural stability, fall-related confidence, anxiety and depression, and social connectedness. The purpose of the study is to learn how long a community balance program needs to continue for older adults to keep the gains they make, and how quickly those gains decline when the program ends.
Parkinson's disease and movement disorders accelerate physical decline. In Oklahoma, more than 15,000 residents have Parkinson's disease, and about one-third live in rural areas. Rural isolation restricts access to movement disorder specialists, and fewer than 30% of individuals with Parkinson's disease engage in regular physical activity. Rural patients face barriers including limited transportation, fear of injury, and a lack of local programs or peer support. This study evaluates a manualized recreational therapy balance protocol that was developed with funding from the American Parkinson…
Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of Parkinson's disease or another movement disorder * Able to tolerate a 50-minute physical activity session once per week * Able to attend in-person sessions at the study site * Willing and able to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Medical condition that prevents safe participation in balance exercise * Unable to attend the weekly in-person sessions
A manualized balance training protocol delivered in person by a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist in approximately 50-minute weekly sessions, including static and dynamic balance training. The protocol was developed with funding from the American Parkinson Disease Association.