Real-time fMRI Neurofeedback for Treatment of Parkinson's Disease

Cardiff University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Parkinson's Disease

Treatments: Other: Neurofeedback and Physical Exercise; Other: Physical Exercise

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01867827

SPON997-11

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of the study is to train patients with Parkinson's Disease to increase activity in a brain area that is involved in the control of motor functions with the use of a technique called real-time fMRI neurofeedback (NF) along with regular physical exercise. This will be a randomised and controlled clinical trial to evaluate the benefits of a novel treatment. The investigators expect NF training along with physical exercise practise to better improve motor functions compared to physical exercise alone.

Enrollment: 30 patients

Sex: All

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• People with Parkinson's Disease
• Hoehn and Yahr stages 1-3 of the disease

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with dementia or significant comorbidity
• those who fail the safety screening to go into an MRI scanner
• those who cannot travel to the University

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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30 participants in 2 patient groups

Neurofeedback and Physical Exercise

Experimental group

Description:

This group will undergo neurofeedback intervention in the fMRI scanner in weeks 1,5 and 12. They will also undergo physical exercise training on WiiFit device once a week after the first month till the end of the study at 12 weeks.

Treatment:

Other: Neurofeedback and Physical Exercise

Physical Exercise

Active Comparator group

Description:

This group will undergo Physical Exercise intervention on the WiiFit device 3 times a week in the first month and once a week after the first month till the end of the study at 12 weeks.

Treatment:

Other: Physical Exercise