Randomized Trial of 12-Week Aerobic Exercise to Improve Brain and Body Health in Parkinsons Disease Patients

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effects of a 12-week supervised aerobic training program on various health aspects in patients with Parkinsons disease, specifically those in Hoehn & Yahr stages 1 to 3. This randomized controlled trial aims to study changes in cerebrovascular function, peripheral vascular health, cardiovascular autonomic control, cognition, non-motor symptoms, sleep, mood, gait biomechanics, quality of life, and body composition. Participants will be randomly assigned to either aerobic training or usual care to compare these effects. The trial includes two groups an Aerobic Training Group and a Control Group receiving usual care. Those in the aerobic group will perform supervised exercise on a cycle ergometer three times per week for 12 weeks, with each session lasting 40 minutes at a perceived exertion level of 12-13 on the Borg scale. The control group will continue their usual clinical care and daily activities without a structured exercise program. All sessions will take place while participants are in their on medication state. Participants will undergo detailed assessments before and after the 12-week intervention. These include measures of cerebrovascular function using various techniques, peripheral and cardiovascular function tests, cognitive performance tests, gait analysis with 3D motion capture, and evaluations of clinical and non-motor symptoms such as sleep and mood. Body composition will be assessed using ultrasound. Researchers will monitor changes in these areas, including cerebrovascular reactivity and neurovascular coupling, to understand the interventions impact. The study will continue until the end of 2027.

Brief Title: Aerobic Training on Cerebrovascular Function, Cognition and Gait in Parkinson's Disease