The Foundation has awarded $149,000 in grants to fund quality of life research that can change the way people live with Parkinson’s.
An active commitment to support and fund research focused on improving the quality of life for people living with Parkinson’s disease is central to advancing the Davis Phinney Foundation’s mission of helping people with Parkinson’s to live well today. This summer, the Foundation announced it will fund two innovative studies that look closely at how cycling affects the symptoms of those living with Parkinson’s.
The Davis Phinney Foundation is committed to funding the most promising research aimed at therapeutics and lifestyle choices that promote living well with Parkinson’s disease today and every day. This year, the Foundation called for applications broadly on the topic of exercise related to living well with Parkinson’s. A total of 54 submissions were received from all over the country with funding requests totaling over four million dollars.
“It is clear that the need for funding for research focused on the impact of lifestyle on living with Parkinson’s is great,” says Timothy Collier, chair of the Foundation’s Science Advisory Board. “The Davis Phinney Foundation has assembled a dedicated team of experts, of diverse backgrounds and expertise, that review applications for research funding. We are pleased to be an integral part of the work the Foundation does to provide important resources for research studies promoting the goal of allowing every person with Parkinson’s to lead the best life possible.”
Since beginning its research funding initiative in 2007, the Foundation has become known for funding innovative studies designed to demonstrate proof of concept, paving the way for larger studies or clinical trials. --more— 4730 Table Mesa Dr., Suite J-200, Boulder CO 80305 | (303) 733-3340 | davisphinneyfoundation.org
In one study, Drs. Anson Rosenfeldt and Jay Alberts at the Cleveland Clinic will examine Pedaling for Parkinson’s (an existing, low-cost program hosted by YMCAs). The researchers predict this community cycling class will slow disease progression when comparing participants’ disease progression to the typical progression of Parkinson’s.
Over 12 months, this team will be following 50 participants. Researchers will track motor symptoms and non-motor symptoms off medication as well as quality of life and exercise compliance as participants cycle in the class approximately three times per week. This project also aims to identify who experiences the most slowing of the disease. This project builds off some of Dr. Albert’s earlier work funded by the Davis Phinney Foundation.
“As a physical therapist, I have the privilege of working with many people with Parkinson’s. I am inspired by their individual stories, work ethic and desire to live better with the disease. Their openness about sharing their disease experience motivates me to examine ways to improve their disease symptoms and quality of life. Physical therapy, exercise and exercisebased research have been ways that I have been able to give back to the Parkinson’s community,” says Dr. Rosenfeldt.
In another study, Dr. Angela Ridgel at Kent State University will develop and test SMART (Speed Manipulated Adaptive Rehabilitation Therapy) cycling.
First, her team will develop a computerized model individualized to each cyclist for use in a SMART controller mounted onto the chassis of a stationary motorized bike. This controller will use biomechanical data from the rider to automatically adjust bike operation to alter cadence, power and heart rate during the cycling session and across sessions.
“Each person with Parkinson’s disease is unique and needs individualized therapies to optimize quality of life. Therefore, the goal of our work is to develop exercise-based therapies that are personalized and adaptable over the course of time. We believe that this approach is important to meeting the needs and goals of each individual. I find that individuals with Parkinson’s are motivated to take an active role in their disease, so this drives my research and motivates me to think outside the box in the development of exercise-based therapies,” says Dr. Ridgel.
The results of these studies will be published in academic journals, presented at professional conferences, and shared with the DPF community through blog posts and on the website. --more— 4730 Table Mesa Dr., Suite J-200, Boulder CO 80305 | (303) 733-3340 | davisphinneyfoundation.org
About the Davis Phinney Foundation:
The Davis Phinney Foundation was founded in 2004 by Olympic medalist and retired professional cyclist, Davis Phinney, to help people with Parkinson’s live well today. The organization’s focus is to provide programs and resources that offer inspiration, information and tools that enable people living with Parkinson’s to take action that can immediately improve their quality of life. Through The Victory Summit® event series, Every Victory Counts® manual, intergenerational SidekicksTM program, Ambassador program, funding of quality of life research and extensive online content, the organization impacts hundreds of thousands of individuals each year. Visit the website: www.davisphinneyfoundation.org.
