SMARTfit Training for Parkinson's Disease

University of Southern California9 enrolled

Overview

This pilot study aims to investigate the effects of 8-week SMARTfit training versus conventional physical training on motor function, cognition and brain functional connectivity in individuals with PD. The investigators hypothesize that clinical and physical performance will improve after SMARTfit training more than after conventional physical training.

Although Parkinson's disease (PD) has been mainly viewed as a movement disorder, the pathophysiology of declined motor function incorporates impairments of multiple systems, including sensory, motor and cognitive pathways. Specifically, it has been demonstrated that cognitive function may play an essential role in motor function for individuals with PD. Cognitive dysfunction involving set-shifting and attentional control has been found to be associated with movement slowness in performing a finger sequence task and freezing of gait. Furthermore, a recent rodent model indicates that cognitive dysfunction may occur prior to the onset of motor symptoms. Similarly human studies show that 25-30% individuals with PD exhibit cognitive impairments at the time of diagnosis. The overall evidence suggests that cognitive dysfunction may contribute to degraded motor function in PD. Interestingly, several studies demonstrate that aerobic exercise and resistance training can improve cognitive function in individuals with PD, indicating a tight interplay between motor and cognitive function. Targeting cognitive function by incorporating cognitive training into physical rehabilitation may be important for people with PD. Although there is mounting evidence for the benefits of physical exercise in PD, few studies investigate whether combining cognitive training with physical exercise can provide additional benefits than physical exercise alone. Thus, the purpose of this pilot study is to investigate the effect of SMARTfit training, a novel technology that provides an opportunity to combine physical training with cognitive training, in individuals with PD. The hypothesis is that SMARTfit training will promote greater motor and cognition improvements than conventional physical training. To test the above hypothesis, ten individuals with mild PD will receive both SMARTfit training and conventional physical training in a counterbalanced order with a washout period. For each training program, participants will receive a 1-hour training session 3 times per week for 8 weeks. The changes in disease biomarkers before and after training will also be explored.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Parkinson Disease Exercise Training Cognitive Change

Interventions

SMARTfit trainingBEHAVIORAL

For SMARTfit training, participants receive three 1-hour training sessions per week for 8 weeks. During each week, participants will receive physical training focused on six tasks, which are the functional tasks individuals with PD commonly have difficulty with. The six tasks are paired into 3 pairs: (1) sit-to-stand and multi-plane locomotor tasks, (2) gait and reach \& grasp, and (3) floor-to-stand; stand-to-floor and single limb standing. Participants will focus on practicing one pair of tasks during each session. There is an additional cognition component that can be manipulated using features provided by SMARTfit.

Conventional physical trainingBEHAVIORAL

For conventional physical training, participants receive three 1-hour training sessions per week for 8 weeks. During each week, participants will receive physical training focused on six tasks, which are the functional tasks individuals with PD commonly have difficulty with. The six tasks are paired into 3 pairs: (1) sit-to-stand and multi-plane locomotor tasks, (2) gait and reach \& grasp, and (3) floor-to-stand; stand-to-floor and single limb standing. Participants will focus on practicing one pair of tasks during each session.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 50 YearsMax age: 85 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: 1. 50-85 years of age 2. Diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease using the UK Brain Bank criteria (as determined by the study movement disorders neurologist) with Hoehn and Yahr stage 1-2 3. No contraindications to exercise including untreated cardiovascular disease or stroke 4. Medically stable and optimized on their medications 5. Able to ambulate independently with or without device 6. No other neurologic, neuromuscular, or orthopedic disease 7. No serious cognitive deficits and able to participate in the informed consent process 8. With medical clearance from primary care physician to participate in the physical therapy intervention 9. No contraindications for MRI Exclusion Criteria: 1. Severe cardiac disease (New York Heart Association classification II-IV) 2. Systolic blood pressure reduction of greater than 20 mmHg with standing 3. A history of poorly controlled or brittle diabetes 4. A history of lower limb amputation 5. Been prescribed any new dopamine replacement medications or new mood stabilizer medications. 6. Presence of a lower limb non-healing ulcer 7. Montreal cognitive assessment score of less than 21 8. The presence of any medical condition which the investigator believes might present an unacceptable health risk to the subject should they participate in the study 9. Electrically, magnetically, or mechanically activated implant (such as cardiac pacemakers or intracerebral vascular clip) 10. Metal in any part of the body including metal injury to the eye 11. History of brain lesions (such as stroke), seizures, or unexplained spells of loss of consciousness 12. Pregnant or breast-feeding 13. With other neurologic, neuromuscular, or orthopedic disease that would interfere with ability to participate in exercise training 14. Currently participating in other studies

Locations (1)

USC Center for Neurorestoration

Los Angeles, California, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Pre-post training change in Modified Physical Performance Test score (mPPT)

The mPPT is a 9-item test that assesses multiple dimensions of physical function (basic and complex activities of daily living) with different levels of difficulty. Participants will be asked to complete functional tasks (i.e. writing a sentence, simulated eating, lift a book and put it on a shelf, turning 360 degrees, 50-foot walking test, stair climbing etc.). Total score ranges from 0 to 36, with a higher score indicating better physical function.

Time frame: pre-assessment 1 (baseline), post-assessment 1 (8 weeks), pre-assessment 2 (after 2-month washout period after post-assessment 1, 16 weeks), post-assessment 2 (24 weeks)

Secondary Outcomes

Pre-post training change in MDS-UPDRS score

The UPDRS is an assessment of Parkinson's disease severity and progress. The UPDRS has four sections. The first section assesses mental, mood, and behavioral changes. The second section assesses historical activities of daily living. The third section is the motor examination portion of the UPDRS and includes evaluations of tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, gait, and postural instability. The fourth section evaluates complications of therapy including motor fluctuations and dyskinesias. Total score ranges from 0 to 260, with a higher score indicating greater disease severity.

Time frame: pre-assessment 1 (baseline), post-assessment 1 (8 weeks), pre-assessment 2 (after 2-month washout period after post-assessment 1, 16 weeks), post-assessment 2 (24 weeks)

Pre-post training change in Self-Efficacy for Exercise scale (SEES)

The SEE is to capture an individual's confidence in their ability to continue exercising in the face of barriers to exercise. The SEE consists of 9 items describing potential barriers to participation in exercise (e.g., "too busy with other activities," "did not enjoy exercise," "felt pain with exercise," "bored by the exercise"). For each item, participants circled a number from 0 ("not confident") to 10 ("very confident") that best described their belief that they could exercise 3 times a week for 20 minutes. Total score ranges from 0 to 90, with a higher score indicating higher self-efficacy for exercise.

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.