Exercise for people with Parkinson's -the PDConnect study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A collaborative approach to exercise provision for people with Parkinson’s – a feasibility study of the PDConnect programme.
IRAS ID
280159
Contact name
Julie Jones
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Robert Gordon University
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN11672329
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative condition, with no cure. Exercise has been shown to be beneficial, and is associated with limiting the rate of decline in Parkinson’s. Current service provision lacks specialist professionals, with services only providing short-term access to exercise classes resulting in many people with Parkinson’s (PwP) returning to sedentary habits when exercise programmes cease. Combining the skills of NHS physiotherapists with community exercise instructors appears an ideal marriage, with potential to encourage PwP to be more active. This study aims to explore the feasibility and acceptability of a combined intervention called PDConnect, which includes specialist NHS physiotherapy; community based group exercise classes and supported self-management.
PwP will be recruited from NHS Grampian, and will undergo baseline testing to establish current health, activity and exercise levels. Participants will be randomised to receive standard physiotherapy care or PDConnect. PDConnect participants will receive six sessions by an NHS Parkinson’s specialist Physiotherapist, followed by 12 weeks of group based exercise delivered in a community gym by specially trained fitness instructors. On completion of the exercise, participants will have twelve weeks of independent self-management. Throughout the PDConnect programme emphasis is upon exercise prescription, education, goal setting and strategies to support adoption of exercise into everyday life, with the aim of promoting long-term exercise involvement and self-management.
Data will be collected at several time points: baseline, six, eighteen and thirty weeks. This study aims to explore whether this unique collaborative approach to exercise delivery is feasible to deliver, well received by PwP, and potentially an effective method of managing Parkinson’s. A large-scale study will be required on conclusion of this pilot in order to establish the effectiveness of PDConnect, which is hoped to be a sustainable and effective means of supporting PwP to engage in exercise, thereby taking control of their future quality of life.
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/NW/0236
Date of REC Opinion
30 Jun 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion