Electro-acupuncture for Gait and Balance in Parkinson's Disease

University of Arizona15 enrolled

Overview

Gait and balance disorders, key contributors to fall and poor quality of life, represent a major therapeutic challenge in Parkinson's disease (PD). Despite the widespread use of acupuncture in recent years in PD, its efficacy remains unclear, largely due to methodological flaws and lack of high quality studies using objective outcome measures. In a patient and assessor-blind pilot study, investigators objectively assess the efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) for gait and balance disorders using body-worn sensor technology in patients with PD.

In this study, investigators employee objective innovative body-worn sensor technologies to assess potential mobility-associated outcomes of PD. Investigators compare acute changes in gait and balance that occurred after repeated administration of two interventions: A specific real EA and a sham EA. The design of the experiments uses a control that accounts for both placebo and possible some active components of a generalized needle-insertion-based procedure. By using a sham control, the investigators were able to more fully test whether the specific EA intervention could lead to changes in objective gait and balance parameters, or subjective self-reported improvements that are beyond placebo induced effects and the natural course of the disease.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Parkinson's Disease

Interventions

ElectroacupuncturePROCEDURE

Acupuncture is an alternative medicine methodology that treats patient by various techniques including inserting small, thin needles at specific points of body. Electroacupuncture (EA), like the name implies, combines classical acupuncture and low electric current running through the needles, which are often used to enhance a treatment.

Body-worn sensor technologyOTHER

Three-dimensional acceleration and angular velocity of shanks, thighs and the trunk were measured using wearable sensors each included a triaxial accelerometer and a triaxial gyroscope (LEGSys™ and BalanSens™ - BioSensics, Boston, MA)

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 55 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Community-dwelling men or women ages 55 years or older with diagnosis of PD; 2. patients who have the ability to walk 20meters without walking assistance; and 3. patients who are stable without anti-PD medication(s) change for at least 1 month. The PD diagnosis was made by movement disorder specialists based on the UK Brain Bank criteria and supported by DaTscan (Ioflupane I 123 injection) when possible. Exclusion Criteria: 1. patients who have received previous acupuncture; 2. patients who have had DBS; 3. patients with any clinically significant medical condition, psychiatric condition, drug or alcohol abuse, or laboratory abnormality that would, in the judgment of the investigators, interfere with the ability to participate in the study; and 4. patients with non-PD related gait disorders.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change of gait speed by objective measurement

Participant performs two tests of normal gait (\> 25 steps) under single task and dual task conditions. Gait speed (m/s) is assessed using body-worn sensor technology.

Time frame: 3 weeks

Secondary Outcomes

Change of postural balance (COG) by objective measurement

Each participant performs 30-second trials of balance assessment with eyes open or closed. Center of gravity (COG, cm) is assessed using body-worn sensor technology.

Time frame: 3 weeks

Change of stride length by objective measurement

Participant performs two tests of normal gait (\> 25 steps) under single task and dual task conditions. Stride length (m) is assessed using body-worn sensor technology.

Time frame: 3 weeks

Change of postural balance (Ankle/hip sway) by objective measurement

Each participant performs 30-second trials of balance assessment with eyes open or closed. Ankle sway (deg2), Hip sway (deg2), Ankle/hip sway is assessed using body-worn sensor technology.

Time frame: 3 weeks

Change of Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale

Unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS) is utilized. Parts I: to assess mentation, behavior and mood (0-16); Part II: to assess activities of daily living ( 0-52); Part III to motor assessment (0-104)

Time frame: 3 weeks

Change of SF-12 health survey

SF-12 health survey (MCS, PCS)

Time frame: 3 weeks

Change of Short Falls Efficacy Scale-International

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.