The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
This study aims to determine the effects of aerobic exercise as a primer to add-on virtual reality (VR)-based rehabilitation on balance, postural control and neuroplasticity (ability of brain to adapt in structure and function) in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). This study will utilize two groups - one group will receive the exercise and VR, while the other group will receive stretching exercise and VR over eight weeks. The study team will administer outcomes at baseline, post-intervention (8 weeks) and follow-up (6 weeks after post-assessment).
This study will enroll individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's disease who will be randomly assigned to 2 groups: 1) high intensity endurance exercise and virtual reality (experimental) or 2) stretching and virtual reality (control) for eight weeks (three sessions, thrice weekly). Outcomes will include balance and gait measures, blood-based biomarkers, neuroplasticity measures (assessed by transcranial magnetic stimulation), spinal reflex excitability (measured by H reflex) and quality of life.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Diagnosis of idiopathic PD (ages 18 -85) in Hoehn and Yahr stages 2 - 3. 2. Subjects need to demonstrate a score of equal to or greater than 23 on the Mini Mental State Examination. 3. Subjects who have a score of ≤21.5 on the Mini Balance Evaluations Systems Test (miniBESTest). 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, severe arthritis affec…
High intensity interval exercise on a recumbent stepper for 30 minutes, 3 days per week.
Stretches of face, neck, upper extremity, trunk and lower extremity muscles including whole body stretches for 30 minutes, 3 days per week.
VR games will involve games that challenge balance such as reaching different targets during activities such as sit to stand, dodging obstacles etc. Participants will play approximately 6 games for 30 minutes, 3 days a week.
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