Effects of Remotely Supervised Home-Based High-Speed Bodyweight Resistance Training on Bradykinesia in Individuals
Poliana do Amaral Yamaguchi Benfica1, Aline Alvim Scianni1, Carolina Luisa de Almeida Soares1
1Department of Physical Therapy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Background:
Exercises that involve increasing the speed of movements are beneficial for individuals with Parkinson disease (PD) and have the potential to reduce bradykinesia. High-speed bodyweight resistance training is accessible and versatile and can be performed anytime and anywhere, including at home. Furthermore, it is important to consider home exercises that enable treatment continuity and reduce barriers such as transportation difficulties and participation in physical exercise programs. However, we have not identified any studies that have conducted home-based high-speed bodyweight resistance training in individuals with PD.
Objective:
This protocol aims to investigate the effects of remotely supervised home-based high-speed bodyweight resistance training in reducing bradykinesia and improving mobility, muscle power, dynamic balance, and quality of life in individuals with PD.
Methods:
A randomized controlled trial will be performed with 1:1 allocation, blinded assessments, and an intention-to-treat analysis. Altogether, 46 individuals with PD, aged ≥50 years, who have bradykinesia and a sedentary or insufficiently active lifestyle, will be included. Participants will be randomly assigned to either (1) an experimental group (high-speed bodyweight resistance training) or (2) a control group (bodyweight intervention; usual speed). Both groups will perform a home-based, remotely supervised intervention, consisting of 60-minute individual sessions, 3 times per week over 12 weeks, with a trained physiotherapist. The primary outcome is bradykinesia of the lower limbs. The secondary outcomes are mobility, muscle power, dynamic balance, and quality of life. The effects of the training will be analyzed from the collected data by using the intention-to-treat analysis. Between-group differences will be measured by 2-way repeated measures ANOVA, considering the baseline, posttraining follow-up (primary time point), and 4-week follow-up (secondary time point).
Results:
Recruitment was conducted from October 2024 to October 2025 (n=46). Data collection is currently in the follow-up phase. The results are expected to be analyzed and submitted for publication by May 2026.
Conclusions:
The results of this trial will likely provide valuable new information on the effects of remotely supervised home-based high-speed bodyweight resistance training in reducing bradykinesia and improving mobility, muscle power, dynamic balance, and quality of life in individuals with PD. If confirmed, these findings may support the feasibility and effectiveness of an accessible home-based intervention delivered through telerehabilitation, potentially reducing barriers to rehabilitation.
Trial Registration:
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06646523; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06646523.
International Registered Report Identifier (Irrid):
DERR1-10.2196/84689.
