The primary aim of the proposed project is to characterize dual tasking (DT) deficits to improve motor, cognitive, and quality of life outcomes in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). Phase 1 of the intervention will involve an in-depth gait analysis on 15 individuals with PD. This gait analysis will utilize the Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment (CAREN) system, a virtual reality system with a fully integrated 3-D motion capture system. The purpose of Phase 1 is to generalize characteristics of gait and postural control during specific DT conditions. Phase 2 (N=20) involves the clinical translation of these findings. This phase will involve creating a clinical intervention based on the objective information gathered the CAREN system. The intervention will take place 3x/week for a total of 8 weeks. Interventional groups will include: 1) DT clinical group (N=10) and 2) Single task group (N=10). Outcome measures will be used at the beginning and end of the intervention to assess the feasibility and efficacy of the intervention.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
45
Performing motor-motor or motor-cognitive tasks at the same time.
Performing motor or cognitive tasks alone.
Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Step Length During Gait
The average distance from heel strike of the less affected leg to heel strike of the more affected leg. Higher values indicate a longer step length.
Time frame: Phase 1: baseline; Phase 2: baseline, end of treatment (8 weeks), and end of treatment +4 weeks
Walking Speed During Gait
Average self-selected walking speed without dual tasking.
Time frame: Phase 1: baseline; Phase 2: baseline, end of treatment (8 weeks), and end of treatment +4 weeks
2 Minute Walk Test
A functional endurance assessment, reporting total distance traveled over a 2 minute period. Higher values indicate better functional endurance.
Time frame: Phase 1: baseline; Phase 2: baseline, end of treatment (8 weeks), and end of treatment +4 weeks
Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders Questionnaire
Quality of life questionnaire. Reported here is T-Score for the Lower Extremity domain. A T-score of 50 is the mean of the reference population, with higher scores indicating a better outcome.
Time frame: Phase 2: baseline, end of treatment (8 weeks), and end of treatment +4 weeks
Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale
Balance questionnaire. Scores range from 0-100, with higher scores indicating greater balance confidence.
Time frame: Phase 2: baseline, end of treatment (8 weeks), and end of treatment +4 weeks
Trail Making Test
Cognitive task where the participant connects 25 dots in numerical order. Lower scores indicate better cognitive function. Reported here is total time to complete the task.
Time frame: Phase 2: baseline, end of treatment (8 weeks), and end of treatment +4 weeks
Reaction Time
Average time taken to react to a choice of two stimuli. Lower scores indicate better reaction time.
Time frame: Phase 2: baseline, end of treatment (8 weeks), and end of treatment +4 weeks
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