Climb Up, Head Up!

A unique project and more thematically relevant than ever!

To date, worldwide no single study exists, which scientifically investigates the EFFECTS of SPORT CLIMBING on the QUALITY OF LIFE of Parkinson’s patients.

Due to this INNOVATIVE study, SUSTAINABLE, HOLISTIC health improvements in Parkinson’s disease are enhanced by sport climbing.

Now, finally, for the FIRST time WORLDWIDE, it shall be proven, whether Parkinson’s patients experience PHYSICAL, PSYCOLOGICAL and SOCIAL EFFECTS due to sport climbing.

It is important to scientifically examine new, innovative forms of therapy for Parkinson’s disease. Not only because of the demographic change, but also to improve quality of life of Parkinson’s patients!

The results are intended to provide an impetus for a new, effective, and widespread method of intervention in Parkinson’s disease. Sport climbing is an extremely promising strategy for improving quality of life in patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Together with you, quality of life of Parkinson’s patients can be improved with sport climbing.

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Physical, psychological and social effects due to sports climbing in Parkinson’s disease

For patients with Parkinson’s disease, sport climbing provides unique BENEFITS that are not comparable with any other training intervention. With sport climbing the PHYSICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL and SOCIAL health can be strengthened, which contributes to an increase in quality of life and a healthy, active lifestyle.

In addition to an increased PHYSICAL fitness, sport climbing improves typical Parkinson’s symptoms regarding flexibility, torso stability, balance, posture, and range of movement. New patterns of movement are developed and cognitive ability is improved.

From a PSYCHOLOGICAL point of view, sporting climbing leads to an improvement in mood and the confidence that patients can cope successfully with difficult situations on their own. Scaling a climbing wall is challenging, but reaching the top or overcoming a difficult section is a visible, tangible accomplishment. This results in a lasting motivation and confidence to continue climbing.

Training in climbing groups builds a SOCIAL network and social support. Self-esteem is enhanced by the mutual respect of other climbers and non-climbers. This makes it easier for patients to participate in daily life and to lead an active life. The experience of independence and self-control is promoted by the transferred responsibility in sports climbing, which contributes to an improvement in quality of life.

AIMS OF THE STUDY

• Improvement in the quality of life in the climbing group
• Improvements in the physical, psychological and social examined domains
• Impetus for a new, effective, and widespread method of intervention in Parkinson’s disease

HOW CLIMB UP, HEAD UP! ACHIEVES RESEARCH RESULTS?

The study investigates the effects of sports climbing on quality of life of Parkinsonian patients. The climbing and control group are examined at 4 test points to determine possible positive effects. For this purpose, clinical-motor examinations, motion sensors, questionnaires and an interview are used.

You have Parkinson’s disease and want to join CLIMB UP, HEAD UP!? Or you know someone (who knows someone)? CLIMB UP, HEAD UP! is looking forward to hearing from you!

For this purpose, I need you as support

• The personnel costs are most expensive: our climbing instructors. So that our patients are well supervised, no expense should be spared here.
• The climbing training course takes place in the climbing hall MARSWIESE. The MARSWIESE-team accommodates with a cheap rate. Thanks for your confidence in CLIMB UP, HEAD UP!
• So that all participants are insured, the MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF VIENNA provides a cost-effective insurance for academic clinical research.
• All patients receive travel expense reimbursements in order to avoid additional costs.
• The HILDE-ULRICHS-STIFTUNG FOR PARKINSON’S RESEARCH provides the climbing equipment. Many thanks for your support!
• The University of Vienna provides the chosen questionnaires. The clinical and motoric investigation tools will be allocated by the Medical University of Vienna. Further motoric measuring systems will be supplied by the Department of Sport Science Vienna. Additionally, the University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein will provide support with an innovative test battery for mobility measuring.

The funds will be directly transferred to the project account of the Medical Universtity of Vienna.