Blood Flow Restriction for Optimizing Balance in Parkinson's Disease
Who can join
As published by the study on ClinicalTrials.gov. "Not stated" means the study hasn't said — ask the study team.
- Age
- 40 Years to 85 Years
- Sex
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Compensation
- Not stated
Other requirements are listed under Eligibility below. Only the study team can confirm whether you can join.
What to expect
No one can promise a trial will help you personally — that is what the research is trying to find out.
What participation involves
Not stated in the study description — ask the study team about visits and procedures.
- Compensation
- Not stated
- Study-related exams and procedures are typically provided at no cost. This is how many trials work in general — confirm the details for this study with the study team.
- Participants are monitored closely by the research team throughout the study.
- Some participants may receive access to an investigational treatment, which is still being studied.
- Your participation helps researchers learn whether this approach could help future patients.
About this study
In plain language
This study tests whether reducing blood flow during strength exercises that challenge balance can improve Parkinson’s disease symptoms. It is for adults ages 40–85 with Parkinson’s disease who meet certain movement and thinking test requirements.
This study is being done to understand how reducing blood flow (BRT) during balance-challenging strengthening exercises (instability resistance training, or IRT) can help improve symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
Compensation is read from the study's own description and may be missing — always confirm with the study team.
Eligibility
Who can join
- Age 40–85 with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease, meaning the cause is unknown, diagnosed using the UK Parkinson’s Disease Society Brain Bank rules.
- Parkinson’s disease at stage 2–4 on the Hoehn and Yahr scale, which measures how much the disease affects movement and balance.
- Score of 23 or higher on the Mini-Mental State Examination, a test of memory and thinking.
Who can't join
- History of heart or blood vessel disease; uncontrolled blood pressure of 140/90 or higher; blood pressure drops when standing; deep vein blood clots; swollen, twisted veins; or serious muscle breakdown.
- An ankle-brachial index of 0.9 or lower, or above 1.3. This test compares blood pressure at the ankle and arm.
- History of another brain, spinal cord, or muscle disorder, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, tumors, ALS, muscular dystrophy, or other muscle disease.
- History of uncontrolled diabetes, severe bone thinning, or problems with memory or thinking; or a body mass index (BMI) above 40.
- A condition that makes exercise unsafe under American College of Sports Medicine rules: uncontrolled irregular heartbeat, a complete block in the heart’s electrical signals, recent changes on a heart electrical test (EKG), unstable chest pain, a current heart attack, or sudden heart failure.
- Surgery on the legs or feet in the past 6 months, or plans for major surgery within 2 months.
- Have not reached menopause and are not using birth control.
- Pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study.
Simplified for readability. The official criteria below are what the study team uses.
Official eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Males and females between the ages 40 - 85 with a diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's Disease (PD) consistent with the United Kingdom PD society brain bank criteria, 2. in Hoehn and Yahr stage 2-4, 3. a score of ≥23 on the mini-Mental Scale Examination. Exclusion Criteria: 1. History of cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension (blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg), orthostatic hypotension, deep-vein thrombosis, varicose veins, or rhabdomyolysis; 2. Ankle branchial index ≤ 0.9 or \> 1.3. 3. History of other neurological disorders affecting the central nervous system such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, tumors, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or muscle disease such as muscular dystrophy, myopathy. 4. History of uncontrolled diabetes, severe osteoporosis, or cognitive impairment. 5. Body mass index above 40; such individuals are more likely to have poorer muscle function and more pain. 6. Absolute contraindications to exercise as per the American College of Sports Medicine (uncontrolled arrhythmias, third-degree heart block, recent electrocardiogram (EKG) changes, unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction, or acute congestive heart failure 7. Had surgery in the lower extremities within the past 6 months. 8. Pre-menopausal and not on birth control 9. Pregnant or planning to become pregnant within the course of the study 10. Plan to have major surgery within 2 months.
Study sites (1)
TX
- University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio · San Antonio, TX 78229Anjali Sivaramakrishnan, PhD, PT · Study contactMore trials in San Antonio