Whole-body workout
The primary outcome was improvement in posture, measured using a “simple” but highly reliable tool, said Dr. Zach. While the patients stood with their backs straight against a wall, researchers measured the distance in centimeters between the C7 sagittal vertical axis (C7SVA) and the wall.
The mean C7SVA at baseline did not significantly differ between the two groups, at 8.2 cm for the climbing group versus 7.7 cm for the control group. However, results showed only sport climbing was associated with significantly lessened forward flexion of the cervical spine.
The climbing group showed a decrease of the C7SVA by 1.7 cm (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.8-2.6 cm). “So climbers were more erect and less stooped after 12 weeks,” Dr. Zach said.
She noted that the mean difference in the control group was 0.5 cm (95% confidence interval [CI], –0.2 to 1.3 cm), which “is almost nothing.”
There did not seem to be any predictor, such as age, sex, or body mass index, for what patient subgroups benefit the most from the intervention, Dr. Zach noted.
In explaining why climbing helps posture, she said it is akin to “a whole-body workout.” The activity increases upper-body strength by using back and shoulder girdle muscles, as well as joint flexibility, Dr. Zach noted. Movements involved in climbing, such as repeated reaching for a distant hold, stretch the muscles of the hip flexors and hip.
As these movements reduce rigidity, the climbing action may also promote an upright posture. And as wall climbing involves planning and executing movements, it trains spatial body awareness, an important component of maintaining and correcting posture, she said.
Dr. Zach noted a motivational group dynamic likely also contributed to the success of the intervention. “They were cheering each other at the bottom” of the climbing wall, she said.
The results show that posture can be added to the improvements in Parkinson’s disease already documented from climbing, including improved motor symptoms, rigidity, and tremor, she said. The next step on the research agenda is to show whether the intervention has a positive impact on gait, Dr. Zach added.
‘Quite adventurous’
Commenting on the research, Rebecca Gilbert, MD, PhD, chief scientific officer at the American Parkinson Disease Association, said she welcomes “any new idea” to help patients with Parkinson’s disease – and that sport climbing sounds “quite adventurous.”
“The general concept that you’re asking the body to move in a novel way is a good thing for everyone and especially for people with Parkinson’s disease,” said Dr. Gilbert, who was not involved with the research.
She noted that in Parkinson’s disease, an ideal exercise intervention includes a combination of four modalities: stretching, balance, aerobics, and strengthening. Rope climbing involves many of these, in addition to a cognitive element, Dr. Gilbert said. It’s also important that patients with Parkinson’s disease participate in an activity they enjoy, she added.
However, she stressed that safety has to be “weighed,” especially for patients with stage 3 Parkinson’s disease, who often have balance problems. “It may be difficult to climb a rope if you have balance problems,” Dr. Gilbert said. “The intervention needs to be tailored to the existing disability, and perhaps this activity is more a reasonable thing for patients at milder stages.”
Dr. Zach and Dr. Gilbert have reported no relevant financial relationships.
A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.