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

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio10 enrolled

Overview

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.

In this pilot proof-of-concept study, the study team will recruit 10 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.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Parkinson's Disease

Interventions

Aerobic ExerciseOTHER

Participants will perform a 30-minute exercise protocol (5 minutes warm-up and cool-down each and 20 minutes moderate intensity exercise) on a StepOne™ recumbent stepper

Virtual RealityDEVICE

Participants will interact with the virtual environment and view the gaming environment on a flat-screen TV placed in front of them at a suitable distance. The participants will play four games (50 repetitions/game divided into three blocks with 1-2 minutes rest between blocks), with the order of the games randomized in every session.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 85 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

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.

Locations (1)

UT Health San Antonio- Dept. of Physical Therapy

San Antonio, Texas, United States