None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
There is an expanding evidence-base demonstrating benefits of exercise for improving balance and mobility in people with Parkinson’s disease. Yet the role of exercise in improving arm and hand function has been neglected to date. The primary aim of this randomised controlled trial is to determine the impact of a home-based, interactive videogame system designed for people with Parkinson’s disease on upper limb function. The secondary aims are to determine the effect on finger and upper limb dexterity, performance of upper limb tasks, quality of life, and cognition. In addition, the participants’ perception of the effect of the intervention and acceptability of the intervention will be evaluated. Since difficulty performing upper limb activities is associated with poor quality of life, the development of effective, sustainable and engaging exercise programs to improve upper limb function in people with Parkinson’s disease is an urgent research priority.
Interventions
Home-based upper limb training using interactive videogames 3 times per week for 12 weeks. Participants will perform 20 minutes of exercise per session. The exercises will be performed with one arm, then repeated with the other arm (one arm at a time). Participants will make either rapid whole arm movements or finger movements to a target location in response to randomly presented visual cues. The speed and timing of the visual stimuli will be modified to increase difficulty of the games. Partic
Home-based upper limb training using interactive videogames 3 times per week for 12 weeks. Participants will perform 20 minutes of exercise per session. The exercises will be performed with one arm, then repeated with the other arm (one arm at a time). Participants will make either rapid whole arm movements or finger movements to a target location in response to randomly presented visual cues. The speed and timing of the visual stimuli will be modified to increase difficulty of the games. Participants will receive 2 initial home visits from the physiotherapist to set up the videogame system and to learn how to use it safely. Regular telephone calls and an additional home visit (week 6) will be provided to monitor and progress exercises. A final home visit will take place on completion of the 12-week program. Participants will be provided with all equipment for the 12-week training program, as well as a booklet containing instructions and safety precautions.
Sponsors
A/Prof Colleen Canning
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
0 to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Idiopathic Parkinson's disease Living in the community (Greater Sydney Metropolitan area) Stable PD medications for at least 2 weeks prior to baseline assessment
Exclusion criteria
Mini-mental State Examination Score less than 24/30 Any unstable cardiovascular, orthopaedic or neurological conditions that would preclude or interfere with physical assessment or the training protocol.
Outcome results
None listed