Department of Health and Human Performance Faculty Articles

Title

Active-Assisted Cycling Improves Tremor and Bradykinesia in Parkinson’s Disease

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2012

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To develop a rapid cadence cycling intervention (active-assisted cycling [AAC]) using a motorized bike and to examine physiological perimeters during these sessions in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). A secondary goal was to examine whether a single session of AAC at a high cadence would promote improvements in tremor and bradykinesia similar to the on medication state.

DESIGN:

Before-after pilot trial with cross-over.

SETTING:

University research laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS:

Individuals with idiopathic PD (N=10, age 45-74y) in Hoehn and Yahr stages 1 to 3.

INTERVENTION:

Forty minutes of AAC.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

Heart rate, pedaling power, and rating of perceived exertion were recorded before, during, and after a bout of AAC. Functional assessments included tremor score during resting, postural, and kinetic tremor.

RESULTS:

This AAC paradigm was well tolerated by individuals with PD without excessive fatigue, and most participants showed improvements in tremor and bradykinesia immediately after a single bout of cycling.

CONCLUSIONS:

This paradigm could be used to examine changes in motor function in individuals with PD after bouts of high-intensity exercise.

Copyright © 2012 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Publication Title

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Volume

93

Issue

11

First Page

2049

Last Page

2055

ISSN

0003-9993

DOI Number

10.1016/j.apmr.2012.05.015

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