Combining Aerobic Exercise and Virtual Reality for Cognitive-motor Rehabilitation in PD

The University of Texas System (UT)

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Parkinson's Disease

Treatments: Other: Aerobic Exercise; Device: Virtual Reality

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05385497

HSC20220064H

Details and patient eligibility

About

This project will provide preliminary data on the feasibility and effects of exercise and VR on motor behavior and neuroplasticity in PD. Results from this work will provide insight into whether combination interventions utilizing AE and VR have parallel effects on cognition, gait, and neuroplasticity in PD.

Full description

In this pilot proof-of-concept study, the study team will recruit 25 individuals with Parkinson's disease who will perform aerobic exercise (AE) followed by virtual reality (VR). The study team will measure the effects of the intervention on dual task performance, clinical measures of gait, cognition, TMS measures and questionnaires pertaining to quality of life.

Enrollment: 25 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 85 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. Diagnosis of idiopathic PD (ages 18 - 85) in Hoehn and Yahr stages 1 - 3.
2. Subjects need to demonstrate a score of equal to or greater than 23 on the Mini Mental State Examination.

Exclusion criteria

1. Subjects with a history of other neurological diseases (i.e. stroke, multiple sclerosis).
2. Subjects with a history of severe cardiopulmonary disease, uncontrolled hypertension, orthostatic hypotension, uncontrolled diabetes, severe osteoporosis.
3. Subjects with a history of PD-specific surgical procedure such as deep brain stimulation etc.
4. Subjects with a history of head injury.
5. Subjects with a history of seizures or epilepsy,
6. Subjects who are currently pregnant
7. Subjects who use of medications that could alter corticomotor excitability or increase risk of seizure
8. Subjects with skull abnormalities, fractures, unexplained, recurring headaches.
9. Subjects who have cognitive or communication impairment that would affect participation.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Health Services Research

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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25 participants in 1 patient group

Combined Aerobic Exercise (AE) and Virtual Reality (VR)-based program

Experimental group

Description:

Individuals diagnosed with PD will participate in AE and VR.

Treatment:

Device: Virtual Reality

Other: Aerobic Exercise