This study is focused on people with Parkinson's disease who already have deep brain stimulation devices. The goal is to understand how aerobic exercise, specifically forced vs voluntary cycling, affects movement, thinking, and brain activity in these individuals. Parkinson's disease is a progressive condition that impacts both movement and cognitive function. Previous research suggests aerobic exercise can improve PD symptoms, but the mechanisms underlying the improvement are not fully understood. This study aims to evaluate the neural (brain) mechanisms underlying exercise.
This study is investigating how aerobic exercise, specifically forced exercise (FE) and voluntary exercise (VE), affects movement, thinking, and brain activity in people with advanced Parkinson's disease who have deep brain stimulation (DBS). Over eight weeks, 36 participants will complete either a forced cycling program (where a motor helps them pedal faster than they could on their own) or a voluntary cycling program at a self-driven pace. Participants will complete an 8-week delayed start period to serve as a comparison before starting an exercise program. The study will measure motor symptoms, cognitive performance, and brain activity from both the cortex (via EEG) and the subthalamic nucleus (via DBS device recordings) at several time points, including before treatment, after the 8-week exercise period, and again four weeks later. By analyzing how neural signals change at rest and during tasks, the study will evaluate the neural mechanisms that make exercise beneficial. This research could ultimately guide more effective, personalized exercise therapies to support people with advanced Parkinson's disease with DBS.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
36
Participants will complete an eight-week control period followed by an eight-week cycling program. They will complete 3 sessions per week in-person with a member of the study team, for a total of 24 exercise sessions.
Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (Motor Examination)
Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III: Motor Examination score, measured off medication. Range of scores is 0 to 132, with lower score indicating better motor function. Change in MDS-UPDRS III score from baseline to end-of-treatment (EOT) and baseline to EOT+4 weeks.
Time frame: Baseline to EOT and Baseline to EOT+4 weeks
Relative Root Mean Square Error of a Grip Force Tracking Task
Participants are required to modulate the precision grip force of their dominant hand to match a target trajectory on a computer screen. Relative root mean squared error quantifies deviation from the target force trajectory. Values are normalized for maximum target amplitude, with lower values indicating decreased error.
Time frame: Baseline to EOT and Baseline to EOT+4 weeks
Local Field Potential Subthalamic Nucleus Beta at Rest
Normalized beta band activity is reported as the change in resting-state STN beta band (13-30Hz) power. Higher beta band suggests increased pathological electrical synchrony.
Time frame: Baseline to EOT and Baseline to EOT+4 weeks
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