Ischemic conditioning (IC) is a promising therapy that can mimic the physiological effects of physical exercise. IC consists of using a cuff to measure blood pressure and calibrate 200 mmHg on the upper or lower limb. Thus, at alternating intervals of 5 minutes, ischemia or reperfusion occurs, depending on whether the cuff is inflated or deflated. IC induces changes in spinal cord excitability for the last reflex reactions of recruited motoneurons with improved balance control in healthy young people and improved learning in the elderly. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the chronic effect of IC on the cognitive performance of patients with Parkinson's disease. Furthermore, the investigators will evaluate secondary outcomes such as the motor function, mobility, quality of life, and immunological responses.
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that causes a variety of motor and non-motor symptoms. Typically, patients with PD suffer from disabilities and secondary complications even when the disease is optimally treated, and many patients still have sedentary lifestyles, which in turn result in higher rates of mortality and comorbidity. Physical activity is an essential element in maintaining daily functional capabilities and quality of life. However, patients with PD have motor and non-motor deficits that can prevent or limit physical exercise, such as running or resistance exercise. Ischemic conditioning (IC) is a promising therapy that can mimic the physiological effects of physical exercise. IC consists of using a cuff to measure blood pressure, calibrated between 180 and 200 mmHg on the upper or lower limb. Thus, at alternating intervals of 5 minutes, ischemia or reperfusion occurs, depending on whether the cuff is inflated or deflated. IC induces changes in spinal cord excitability for the last reflex reactions of recruited motoneurons with improved balance control in healthy young people and improved learning in the elderly. Recently, IC has been shown to improve cognitive performance in neurological patients with stroke, subcortical ischemia, and vascular dementia. However, there are no studies that have evaluated the effect of IC on cognitive performance in patients with PD. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the chronic effect of IC on the cognitive performance of patients with PD. Furthermore, the investigators intend to evaluate other secondary outcomes such as motor function, mobility, quality of life, and immunological responses.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
44
The ischemic conditioning protocol will consist of a period of 12 weeks (24 sessions) with a frequency of 2 weekly sessions lasting between 15 and 20 minutes each. Therapy will be performed bilaterally on the upper limbs. The ischemic conditioning group will perform 4 times, 8 cycles with 30 seconds of ischemia (80 - 200 mmHg) with 5 seconds of reperfusion in each cycle. Ischemia cycles are controlled by a device (KAATSU C4 - KAATSU GLOBAL / USA) with customized ischemia programs, partially restricting blood flow through special pressure cuffs that are internally valved, providing greater comfort and safety for these patients who typically have stiffness in the affected limb and localized muscle pain. In the first cycle, participants will be subjected to pressures of 80 to 150 mmHg. In the 3 subsequent cycles, pressures from 130 to 200 mmHg will be applied.
In the sham group, participants will complete the same number of sets (4) and 4 cycles, with equalized time to ischemia (4 minutes) and (40 seconds) reperfusion timing, but at a non-occlusive pressure of 30 mmHg. Device, cuff placement, instructions, staff contact, and session duration will be standardized across groups.
Montreal cognitive assesment
Maximum score: 30 points; Normal cognition: 26-30 points; Mild cognitive impairment (MCI): Below 26 points
Time frame: Before intervention and at week 12
The Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39
The overall score ranges from 0 to 100%, with higher scores indicating a greater negative impact of Parkinson's Disease on the patient's quality of life.
Time frame: Before intervention and at week 12
Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale
0-260 points: A higher score indicates greater impairment
Time frame: Time Frame: Before intervention and at week 12
Timed up and go
\<10 seconds: Individuals are generally able to perform most daily activities independently without assistance; 10-19 seconds: Indicates independence in most daily activities but may suggest slight mobility limitations; 20-29 seconds: Suggests the need for assistance with mobility, especially for more challenging tasks; ≥30 seconds: Indicates a high fall risk, and the individual likely needs assistance with many daily tasks and may require mobility aids.
Time frame: Before intervention and at week 12
Assessment of cellular and soluble immune response
The patient's peripheral blood will be collected in three EDTA tubes of 5 mL each before and after 12 weeks of application of the ischemic conditioning protocol. From the blood samples, plasma will be obtained for quantification of soluble mediators, followed by the isolation/storage of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC or Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell) for phenotypic characterization of subpopulations of T and B lymphocytes, NK cells, myeloids and monocytes
Time frame: Before intervention and at week 12
Quantifications of systemic soluble mediators
Initially, the EDTA tubes containing the blood will be centrifuged for 5 minutes at 400 x g and 20 ºC to separate the plasma. The collected plasma will be aliquoted into cryotubes and stored at -80ºC until the tests are carried out. Quantification of systemic soluble mediators will be performed using the MILLIPLEX® Human Cytokine/Chemokine/Growth Factor Panel A Kit H - Immunology Multiplex Assay (Merck Millipore, Massachusetts, USA). The panel of analytes included chemokines, growth factors, pro-inflammatory cytokines and regulatory cytokines: FGF-2/FGF-basic, G-CSF, GM-CSF, IFNa2,IFNy, IL-1a, IL-1b, IL-1RA , IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8/CXCL8, IL-10, IL-12 (p40), IL-12 (p70), IL-13, IL-15, IL -17A/CTLA8, IL-18, IP-10/CXCL10, MCP-1/CCL2, MCP-3/CCL7, M-CSF, MIG/CXCL9, MIP-1a/CCL3, MIP-1b/CCL4, PDGF-AB /BB, RANTES/CCL5, TNFa, TNFb/Lymphotoxin-a, VEGF-A, HIF-1ą. The PCR, BNDF, and Irisin proteins will be measured using single-plex assays.
Time frame: Before intervention and at week 12
PBMC acquisition and flow cytometry
Finally, a minimum of 100,000 events will be acquired on the BD LSRFortessa™ flow cytometer (BD Biosciences).
Time frame: Before intervention and at week 12
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