Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria: * have a diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (using UK Brain Bank Criteria) * have a Hoehn \& Yahr stage of 2-4 during the "ON" state * Mini mental status score \> 26 * be 40 years of age or older, so as to represent the typical age range of PD * be on a stable dose of Parkinson's medications for at least 2 weeks prior to study onset and during the 3 month study period. * have experienced at least one fall in the past 3 months and greater or equal to 2 falls in the past one-year (A fall was defined as an unexpected event where the person inadvertently came to rest on the ground or other lower level not due to a major intrinsic or extrinsic event) * able to walk without physical assistance or an assistive device for at least 5 continuous minutes * able to understand, communicate with and be understood by recruitment personnel * able to attend the exercise program twice per week at Sargent College * be interested in participating and provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * have a diagnosis of atypical Parkinsonism * have a Hoehn \& Yahr stage of 1 or 5 * have had previous surgical management of PD (i.e., deep brain stimulation surgery; pallidotomy) * serious co-morbidities that may interfere with ability to participate in an exercise program (i.e., musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and neurological (other than Parkinson's)) * be pregnant