Home-Based High-Intensity Interval Training for People With Parkinson's: A Randomized, Controlled, Feasibility Trial
Question
Is a co-created home-based HIIT program feasible, acceptable, and safe for people with Parkinson's disease, and which outcomes might be useful for a later full trial?
Summary
This small feasibility trial tested a 12-week home HIIT program for independently mobile people with Parkinson's disease. The program was acceptable and mostly completed, with minor temporary HIIT-related adverse effects, but many participants did not consistently reach the target intensity and the trial did not show clear benefits on VO2max, BDNF, or motor symptoms.
Methodology
- Independently mobile people with Parkinson's disease, Hoehn and Yahr stages 1-3
- 13 participants.
- Home calisthenic-style exercises.
- Work intervals: 45 seconds.
- Recovery: 15 seconds between bouts; 2 minutes between sets.
- Intensity: Initial target 75% HRmax, titrated individually.
- About 17 minutes plus any unreported warm-up/cool-down.
- 3 sessions/week.
- 12 weeks.
- Randomized controlled feasibility trial
- Feasibility, Safety, VO2max, and Motor/function outcomes were tracked.
Outcomes
Feasibility
Most HIIT participants completed the program with 78.4% mean adherence, but target intensity was not reached by all.
6/7 completed; mean intensity 77.2% HRmax; 3 participants did not achieve mean 75% HRmax.
VO2max
VO2max did not improve meaningfully versus usual care in this small feasibility sample.
HIIT change +0.9 +/- 1.7 ml/kg/min.
Sit-to-stand
30-second sit-to-stand improved compared with control.
Between-group difference 5.0 stands, 95% CI 2.2 to 7.8.
Safety
The program appeared safe for selected participants but caused minor temporary adverse effects.
Descriptive feasibility safety reporting.
Insights
- Home HIIT for clinical populations needs real intensity feedback, not just timed intervals.
- Audio cueing and adaptable exercise menus are promising app design elements.
- For Parkinson's disease, feasibility evidence should not be described as proven symptom or fitness efficacy.
Limitations
- Very small feasibility sample.
- Recruitment target was not met.
- Baseline fitness imbalance favored the HIIT group.
- Some participants did not achieve target intensity.
- No long-term follow-up.
Safety
- Minor temporary HIIT-related adverse effects were reported.
- One HIIT participant withdrew due to an unrelated back injury.
- Screening, home checks, heart-rate monitoring, and diaries were used.