Design and baseline characteristics of the ParkFit study, a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of a multifaceted behavioral program to increase physical activity in Parkinson patients.
BACKGROUND
Many patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) lead a sedentary lifestyle. Promotion of physical activities may beneficially affect the clinical presentation of PD, and perhaps even modify the course of PD. However, because of physical and cognitive impairments, patients with PD require specific support to increase their level of physical activity.


METHODS
We developed the ParkFit Program: a PD-specific and multifaceted behavioral program to promote physical activity. The emphasis is on creating a behavioral change, using a combination of accepted behavioral motivation techniques. In addition, we designed a multicentre randomized clinical trial to investigate whether this ParkFit Program increases physical activity levels over two years in sedentary PD patients. We intended to include 700 sedentary patients. Primary endpoint is the time spent on physical activities per week, which will be measured every six months using an interview-based 7-day recall.


RESULTS
In total 3453 PD patients were invited to participate. Ultimately, 586 patients--with a mean (SD) age of 64.1 (7.6) years and disease duration of 5.3 (4.5) years--entered the study. Study participants were younger, had a shorter disease duration and were less sedentary compared with eligible PD patients not willing to participate.


CONCLUSIONS
The ParkFit trial is expected to yield important new evidence about behavioral interventions to promote physical activity in sedentary patients with PD. The results of the trial are expected in 2012.


BACKGROUND
http://clinicaltrials.gov (nr NCT00748488).
van Nimwegen
Marlies
M
Department of Neurology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen Centre for Evidence Based Practice,Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Speelman
Arlène D
AD
Smulders
Katrijn
K
Overeem
Sebastiaan
S
Borm
George F
GF
Backx
Frank J G
FJ
Bloem
Bastiaan R
BR
Munneke
Marten
M
D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012107:Research Design