This randomized controlled trial investigated the effectiveness and feasibility of sport climbing in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. 48 PD patients were randomized into a 12-week sport climbing course (SC) or an unsupervised physical training group (UT). The primary outcome was improvement on the MDS-UPDRS-III. Sport climbing showed a significant reduction in MDS-UPDRS-III (-12.9 points; 95% CI -15.9 to -9.8), while the UT showed no significant improvement (-3.0 points; 95% CI -6.0 to 0.1). Bradykinesia, rigidity, and tremor subscales also improved significantly in the SC group. Adherence to climbing sessions was 99%, with an 8% dropout rate and no adverse events. The study provides class III evidence that sport climbing is highly effective and feasible for mildly to moderately affected PD patients.
Publisher
npj Parkinson's Disease
Published On
Jun 10, 2021
Authors
Agnes Langer, Sebastian Hasenauer, Anna Flotz, Lucia Gassner, Rochus Pokan, Peter Dabnichki, Laurenz Wizany, Jakob Gruber, Dominik Roth, Sarah Zimmel, Marco Treven, Michaela Schmoeger, Ulrike Willinger, Walter Maetzler, Heidemarie Zach
Tags
Parkinson's disease
sport climbing
randomized controlled trial
MDS-UPDRS-III
motor symptoms
physical training
feasibility
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