High Intensity Endurance Exercise as a Primer to Virtual Reality for Optimizing Cortical Excitability and Neuroplasticity in Parkinson's Disease (PD)
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Summary
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).
Description
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.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–85 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
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…
Interventions
- BehavioralHigh intensity endurance exercise
High intensity interval exercise on a recumbent stepper for 30 minutes, 3 days per week.
- BehavioralStretching exercise
Stretches of face, neck, upper extremity, trunk and lower extremity muscles including whole body stretches for 30 minutes, 3 days per week.
- BehavioralVirtual reality (VR)-based gaming
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.
Location
- UT Health San Antonio- Dept. of Physical TherapySan Antonio, Texas