title: Promotion of physical activity and fitness in sedentary patients with Parkinson's disease: randomised controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate whether a multifaceted behavioural change programme increases physical activities in patients with Parkinson's disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multicentre randomised controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  32 community hospitals in the Netherlands, collaborating in a nationwide network (ParkinsonNet).
  
  
  METHODS
  586 sedentary patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease aged between 40 and 75 years with mild to moderate disease severity (Hoehn and Yahr stage ≤ 3).
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were randomly assigned to the ParkFit programme or a matched general physiotherapy intervention. ParkFit is a multifaceted behavioural change programme, designed specifically to achieve an enduring increase in the level of physical activity (coaches using motivational strategies; ambulatory feedback).
  
  
  METHODS
  The primary endpoint was the level of physical activity, measured every six months with a standardised seven day recall (LASA physical activity questionnaire-LAPAQ). Secondary endpoints included two other measures of physical activity (activity diary and ambulatory activity monitor), quality of life (Parkinson's disease questionnaire-PDQ-39), and fitness (six minute walk test).
  
  
  RESULTS
  540 (92.2%) patients completed the primary outcome. During follow-up, overall time spent on physical activities (LAPAQ) was comparable between the groups (adjusted group difference 7%, 95% confidence interval -3 to 17%; P=0.19). Analyses of three secondary outcomes indicated increased physical activity in ParkFit patients, as suggested by the activity diary (difference 30%; P<0.001), the activity monitor (difference 12%; P<0.001), and the six minute walk test (difference 4.8 m; P=0.05). PDQ-39 did not differ between ParkFit patients and controls (difference -0.9 points; P=0.14). The number of fallers was comparable between ParkFit patients (184/299; 62%) and controls (191/287; 67%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ParkFit behavioural change programme did not increase overall physical activity, as measured with the LAPAQ. The analysis of the secondary endpoints justifies further work into the possible merits of behavioural change programmes to increase physical activities in daily life in Parkinson's disease.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Clinical trials NCT00748488.
authors: Department of Neurology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen Centre for Evidence Based Practice, Nijmegen, Netherlands.
authors: Marlies
authors: M
authors: van Nimwegen
authors: Arlène D
authors: AD
authors: Speelman
authors: Sebastiaan
authors: S
authors: Overeem
authors: Bart P
authors: BP
authors: van de Warrenburg
authors: Katrijn
authors: K
authors: Smulders
authors: Manon L
authors: ML
authors: Dontje
authors: George F
authors: GF
authors: Borm
authors: Frank J G
authors: FJ
authors: Backx
authors: Bastiaan R
authors: BR
authors: Bloem
authors: Marten
authors: M
authors: Munneke
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires