Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease | Diagnosed in the last 3 years | Not taking Parkinson’s disease medication or willing to discontinue
Parkinson's Disease Research Study
Researchers at Emory University are partnering with individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease to evaluate how aerobic exercise can help. Join our study today!
Fast Facts
diagnosed Parkinson's disease
diagnosed in the last 3 years
not taking PD medication or willing to discontinue
study expenses reimbursed
Conducted in atlanta, GA
Study Background
Aerobic exercise is a vital treatment for people living with Parkinson’s disease. Although anti-parkinsonian medication helps alleviate Parkinson’s symptoms, it is not known to slow the rate of disease progression. Aerobic exercise is a treatment with the most compelling evidence for its potential to slow Parkinson’s disease progression. While both moderate- and high-intensity aerobic exercise provides health benefits, it is currently unclear which intensity is more effective for people with Parkinson’s.
The SPARX3 (NCT04284436) study is the first randomized control trial designed to investigate the effects of moderate- and high-intensity aerobic exercise on disease progression in untreated patients with Parkinson’s.
Your participation in this study may help researchers improve treatment approaches for Parkinson’s in the future. Further research today and join our study!
Study Background
Aerobic exercise is a vital treatment for people living with Parkinson’s disease. Although anti-parkinsonian medication helps alleviate Parkinson’s symptoms, it is not known to slow the rate of disease progression. Aerobic exercise is a treatment with the most compelling evidence for its potential to slow Parkinson’s disease progression. While both moderate- and high-intensity aerobic exercise provides health benefits, it is currently unclear which intensity is more effective for people with Parkinson’s.
The SPARX3 (NCT04284436) study is the first randomized control trial designed to investigate the effects of moderate- and high-intensity aerobic exercise on disease progression in untreated patients with Parkinson’s.
Your participation in this study may help researchers improve treatment approaches for Parkinson’s in the future. Further research today and join our study!
Additional Information
You may qualify for this study if you meet the following criteria.
Key Criteria:
- 40-80 years old
- Diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in the last 3 years
- Not using PD medication or willing to discontinue
- No cardiovascular, renal, or metabolic disease
- No major depression or suicidality
- No cognitive impairment
- No more than 120 minutes of intense exercise per week in the last 6 months
Potential participants will first complete two screening visits, which include informed consent, medical history, physical & neurological exam, blood draw, cognitive assessments, and a brain scan. Some of these procedures can be completed remotely.
If eligible, you will continue to the baseline visit, which will include a number of assessments, questionnaires, and a blood draw to help us determine your current state of health. You will also receive an activity monitor to use for one week.
About a week later, you begin the intervention phase. You will be assigned to complete a certain amount and intensity of aerobic exercise each week.
You will return for study visits at 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months after beginning the intervention phase. Each visit may include:
- Activity monitor for 1 week
- Physical assessments
- Questionnaires
- Physical & neurological exam
- Blood draw
- Evaluation of Parkinson’s symptoms
The 12 month visit will also include a second brain scan.
After 24 months, your participation is complete.
