Effect of a Boxing Program on People With Parkinson Disease

The effects of Parkinson Disease are progressive and cause limitations in functional mobility and quality of life. This is a disease that greatly impairs the motor system with key presentation of resting tremors, rigidity and bradykinesia. These impairments cause further deficiencies in gait and postural stability. Most notable is festinating gait that is exacerbated by direction changes and becomes a fall risk for patients. These physical limitations can manifest fear and avoidance behaviors in people that ultimately decrease quality of life. Activities that can improve balance, strength and coordination allow people to gain confidence in their ability to participate in their daily activities. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of a boxing training program on lower extremity functional strength, fall risk, gait speed, and turning speed for people with Parkinson Disease compared to a control group.

Data for the intervention group has been provided retrospectively by the organizers of the boxing club. This initial data was collected by volunteers of the club at the initial session and then at 12 weeks for purposes of progress reporting to the members. Data was de-identified prior to receipt by the investigators. The next phase of this study will involve recruitment of participants for a control group from areas that do not have established boxing programs. Pre- and post-tests will be conducted over a span of 12 weeks. Outcome measures for the future control group will be the same as the original tools provided by the boxing club. These measures will assess lower extremity functional strength, fall risk, gait speed and turning speed. Baseline data will be taken using 30-second sit to stand, Timed Up-and-Go, 180° turning speed, and gait speed. During the 12 week period, participants will be instructed to avoid changing their physical activity. At the end of 12 weeks the post-testing will be completed. Those participants in the control group will receive a gift card for participation in the study.

If pandemic concerns prevent the recruitment of new participants for a control group, an alternative approach will involve a cross-over design in which the original participants from the intervention group will serve as the control group. The boxing club will be approached to contact the twelve participants who provided intervention data. The boxing club has not been held since March, 2020 due to the pandemic restrictions. A control period for this group will be established over a twelve week period where they do not participate in any new changes to their physical activity. The same outcome measures will be collected at pre-test and twelve weeks later for post-testing.

Due to the nature of the in-person testing, extra precautions regarding Covid-19 have been implemented including a Covid-19 and Other Communicable Disease consent form outlining expectations of the participants as well as precautions by the investigators. These extra initiatives include appropriate facial masks and face shields by everyone involved at all times at the study site, physical distancing between investigators and participants with exceptions made for safety reasons, and any other procedures established by the study site.

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of Parkinson Disease

Exclusion criteria

• Inability to walk without physical assistance