Positive Health Online

Abstract

KWOK and COLLEAGUES, 1. The Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 6/F. Esther Lee Building, Shatin, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China. jojo.yykwok@gmail.com; 2. The Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation, Lam Tin, Kowloon, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China; 3. Department of Medicine, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Chai Wan, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China; 4. Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Therese Pei Fong Chow Research Center for Prevention of Dementia, Gerald Choa Neuroscience Centre, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China; 5. The Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 6/F. Esther Lee Building, Shatin, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China have planned a randomized trial to compare yoga versus stretching and resistance training exercises on psychological distress for people with mild-to-moderate Parkinson's disease

Background

Psychological distress is prevalent among people with Parkinson's disease (PD) and aggravates their motor symptoms, thereby leading to increased disability, high healthcare costs, and poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The under-recognition and adverse effects of the pharmacological management of anxiety and depression among the PD population are considerable. Thus, adopting a Complementary and Alternative Management (CAM) approach to address this problem is important. Yoga, one of the most common "mind-body" CAM therapies, can improve the psychological wellbeing of people with chronic illnesses. However, limited research on the effects of yoga in people with PD has been conducted. This study will determine the effects of yoga on the psychological wellbeing of people with mild-to-moderate PD and will compare these effects with those of stretching and resistance training exercises.

Methodology

A community-based, single-blind, randomized trial will be conducted. A total of 126 subjects will be recruited and randomly divided into yoga (n = 63) or stretching and resistance exercise (n = 63) groups. For 8 weeks, the yoga group will receive a weekly 90-min session of yoga, and the control group will receive a weekly 60-min session of stretching and resistance exercises. The primary outcome will be the level of psychological distress measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. The secondary outcomes will include the severity of motor symptoms measured by the Movement Disorders Society - Unified Parkinson's Disease Scale - Part III Motor Examination; mobility, balance, and fall risk measured by the Timed Up and Go test; spiritual wellbeing measured by the Holistic Wellbeing Scale; and HRQoL measured by the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-8. Assessment will be conducted at baseline, 8th, and 20th weeks of follow-ups.

Results

Conclusion

This study will be the first randomized trial to compare the effect of yoga versus stretching and resistance training exercises in a PD population. Results will contribute to the value of yoga as a therapeutic option for managing psychological distress in PD patients. Multiple outcomes including psychological, physiological, and spiritual and HRQoL will also be measured to elucidate the potential mechanisms of yoga. The effect of yoga on people with chronic illnesses will further be elucidated. This information should contribute to future research, practice, and policy related to PD management. Trial Registration: WHO Primary Registry - Chinese Clinical Trials Registry (ChiCTR): CUHK_CCRB00522 Registered on 8 October 2016; date of approval 19 August 2016.

References

Kwok JYY1, Kwan JCY2, Auyeung M3, Mok VCT4, Chan HYL5. The effects of yoga versus stretching and resistance training exercises on psychological distress for people with mild-to-moderate Parkinson's disease: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 18(1):509. Nov 2 2017. doi: 10.1186/s13063-017-2223-x.