Has anyone heard of or used the "Theracycle" for exercise to help with PD symptoms?

[tlongmire]

[NanCyclist]

Research by Dr. Jay Alberts of the Cleveland Clinic showed that cycling on a tandem 3/week, 80-90 rpm, 60-80% of maximum heart rate (220-age=mhr) gives an average reduction of 35% of PD symptoms.

You can achieve results by using a tandem, road bike or spin cycle at a fraction of the cost.

I do not use a tandem but cycle on my road bike (set on a trainer in bad weather) at least an hour five days each week using the above protocols and have greatly diminished my symptoms, so much so that most people do not guess I have PD. I was also able to reduce medications after cycling. I rode across Iowa twice in RAGBRAI and climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro last summer with a group of MS and PD patients. See pedalingforparkinsons.org for more information.

[tlongmire in reply to NanCyclist]

Thanks for the information and congratulations on your achievements.

I can't get a recumbant or stationary bike to the rpm required to acheive results. I've never tried a spin cycle so I'll check that out as well. Do you have any idea how much the Theracycle costs?

[NanCyclist]

The Theracycle costs $4,000. Where do you live? There are PFP programs starting at YMCAs in various parts of the country. You could also get a tandem, even on Craigslist, and work out an arrangement with someone or several people to help you cycle. I'll be happy to help more specifically if you let me know where you are. [e-mail] Also most people can inch their way up to the proper rpm. I'm told that the 16 people in the Sarasota, FL, Y started at an average of 60 rpm and after 4 weeks are averaging 80 rpm.

[tlongmire in reply to NanCyclist]

I sent you an email. Thanks.

[Paul_Dineen]

If NanCyclist thinks at least enough of the Theracycle product to mention it, then I wouldn't question that. However, one of the various security tools that I have decorating my search results gives stern warnings about the www,theracycle.com web site itself.

McAfee siteadvisor says:

"When we tested this site, it attempted to make unauthorized changes to our test computer by exploiting a browser security vulnerability. This is a serious security threat which could lead to an infection of your computer."

AVG rates it as safe.

WOT doesn't have enuf info to rate it . It displays a "?".

When there are different ratings like this for a site, I tend to play it safe by believing the most pessimistic one.

It''s unusual for a legit product to be promoted on a site that's a scam of some kind. I'd hope that this is a case of software being unable to distinguish between code that's malicious vs code that's just trying to use for good some functionality that could be used for good or evil. But, until I knew more, I wouldn't visit that site, especially with siteadvisor referring to the exploit of a browser vulnerability.

[tlongmire in reply to Paul_Dineen]

Thanks for the information.

[FifteenyearsPD]

Treadmill has worked wonders ....convinced that my PD has not progressed as much as might expect because I had walked on treadmill almost every day for several yrs prior to diagnosis and for the 15 1/2 yrs since. Makes me walk evenly on treadmill and carries over to ADL. Recommend treadmill use highly

[peterb]

I am the owner of the Exercycle Company - maker of the Theracycle and

I am writng this post to address some of the above comments.

First, I am proud of my company and the positive impact our products have had on users with movement disorders. We have supplied Jay Alberts of the Cleveland Clinic with Theracycles for his ongoing research with PD patients and his development of Forced Exercise as a treatment to reduce the symptoms of PD. In addition, my company has been awarded a grant from the NIH to further modify the Theracycle to deliver the Forced Exercise treatment.

Memebers of the Exercycle Company team and I have bicycled across Iowa in the annual RAGBRAI summer event with both Nan and Jay.

Nan is truly an inspiration to all of us and I am in awe of her heroic efforts.

If anyone else with PD has the physical ability to replicate what Nan has accomplished, I wholeheartedly agree that they do not need a Theracycle. However, not all people with PD have that requisite strength and endurance.

In that case, the Theracycle assists users to reach the needed pedal cadence, intensity and duration to follow the recommended Forced Exercise regimen that they cannot reach on their own.

I agree that the Theracycle is not inexpensive and I wish it could be sold for less. However, all parts are made here in the US (with the exception of the seat and pedals) in small batches and we use a very powerful motor, sophisticated electronics, extra strong frame, a close tolerance gear box and redundant safety features for years of trouble free service. A similar product, the Motomed made in Germany, sells for over two thousand dollars more than the Theracycle. However, we do not want you to buy a Theracycle if it does not work for you. That is why we sell all our products with a 30 day 100% money back guarantee if you are not completely satisfied. For your information, we have less than a 3% return rate which means that over 97% of buyers feel that the Theracycle is well worth the money thay paid for it.

Secondly, I am stunned and concerned that the security of our website is being questioned! This is the first time that I ever heard this comment.

It is now 11pm (EST) and I have just emailed our webmaster for him to look into this matter - hopefully tomorrow morning if he is available. I will have him post a comment on this blog as soon as possible. The name of his company is Black Fly Interactive in New Hampshire and he is one of the most principled web designers with whom I have worked.

In the interim, if anyone wishes to speak with me directly, please feel free to call toll free at 800-367-6712 x230. If I am not avaialble, please leave a message and i will call back as soon as possible. You may also email me at [e-mail].

[PatrickRafter]

Patrick Rafter (Chief Blogger for The Theracycle Blog) here.

Surprised and concerned about possible security issues for our website (mentioned in the earlier comment from Paul_Dineen), we immediately contacted McAfee Customer Support regarding the inaccuracy of its SiteAdvisor testing.

This morning (12/30/11) we received this message from a Senior Web Analyst at McAfee:

"I am very glad to inform you that your site has been rated Green by McAfee SiteAdvisor.

Please click on the link below for more information

siteadvisor.com/sites/thera... "

The "Green" security rating means theracycle.com is a safe site and we encourage all members of the PD community to visit it.

Paul: Thank you for bringing this incorrect rating to our attention, so that we could contact McAfee to post its correct rating.

All:

Beyond our website-- hope you'll visit the Theracycle Blog at blog.theracycle.com. Our blog is non-commercial and designed to be

a source of information, inspiration and community for people with movement disorders.

We welcome guest posts on the Blog.

Feel free to contact me with any article ideas: [e-mail].

Thanks.

Happy, Healthy & Joyful New Year to All

--Patrick

Patrick Rafter

The Theracycle Blog

blog.theracycle.com

[Paul_Dineen]

peterb, Patrick and others reading here,

I'm sorry that the info I posted here was wrong and questioned (that's not a strong enough word) the reputation of Peter's and Patrick's company. As they say above, they have contacted McAfee and siteadvisor has changed its evaluation of the Theracycle site to safe. I'm glad that at least that small good has resulted from this.

As I said in a response to a private message from Patrick, I'll be more careful about repeating what a security tool says about a web site, especially in cases where the product and site look legit, such as this one. I can imagine that distinguishing between safe sites and bad ones gets trickier all the time with the growing sophistication of website software and of the cyber-criminals. I should expect more incorrect assessments by software that has to work hard to keep up with the changing attacks, and act accordingly.

Good luck with your product and company Peter and Patrick. I just might be buying one some time in the six months or so.

Paul