# Home-Based High-Intensity Interval Training for People With Parkinson's: A Randomized, Controlled, Feasibility Trial

PMID: 40661734
Journal: Health Science Reports
Published: 2025 Jul
Authors: Harpham C, Gunn H, Marsden J, Bescos-Garcia R, Murgatroyd C, Connolly L

## 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.

## Population

- Independently mobile people with Parkinson's disease, Hoehn and Yahr stages 1-3
- Sample size: 13
- Sex: Men and women; exact distribution not extracted
- Fitness level: Community-dwelling people with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease
- Health status: Parkinson's disease, independently mobile and screened for high-intensity exercise suitability

## Methodology

- Randomized controlled feasibility trial
- 12 weeks
- Home-based exercise with laboratory baseline and follow-up testing
- Randomized and controlled study design.

## Protocol

- HH4P home HIIT.
- Modality: Home calisthenic-style exercises.
- Work intervals: 45 seconds.
- Recovery: 15 seconds between bouts; 2 minutes between sets.
- Sets or repetitions: 4 sets of 3 bouts.
- Intensity: Initial target 75% HRmax, titrated individually.
- Session duration: About 17 minutes plus any unreported warm-up/cool-down.
- Frequency: 3 sessions/week.
- Program length: 12 weeks.
- Progression: Intensity target adjusted using HR data and participant consultation.
- Usual care.
- Modality: Usual clinical care and usual physical activity routines.
- Program length: 12 weeks.

## Outcomes

### Feasibility
Status: mixed
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
Status: no clear change
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
Status: improved
30-second sit-to-stand improved compared with control.

Between-group difference 5.0 stands, 95% CI 2.2 to 7.8.

### Safety
Status: mixed
The program appeared safe for selected participants but caused minor temporary adverse effects.

Descriptive feasibility safety reporting.

## Practical 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 And Adherence

- 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.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40661734/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.71024) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12257130/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

Preserve the paper-level scope of this note. Do not generalize beyond the population, protocol, measured outcomes, and limitations above.