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STEPWISE Parkinson: A Smartphone Based Exercise Solution for Patients With Parkinson's Disease

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Movement Disorders
Parkinson Disease
Interventions
Behavioral: Step count increase with the use of a motivational smartphone application
Registration Number
NCT04848077
Lead Sponsor
Radboud University Medical Center
Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to investigate whether a smartphone app can increase physical activity in patients with Parkinson's Disease in daily life for a long period of time (12 months).

Detailed Description

Rationale: Exercise affords health benefits for people with Parkinson's disease (PD), but implementing exercise in daily life remains challenging. Moreover, many training programs are not very scalable. The investigators take an important step forward by developing and studying an innovative and fully decentralized smartphone-based program to increase long-term physical activity in people with PD in daily life.

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate whether a smartphone app can increase physical activity in PD patients for a long period of time (12 months). The secondary aim is to test the potential group effect on physical fitness, motor- and non-motor symptoms. Thirdly, we aim to investigate whether there is a dose-response relationship between amount of physical activity and physical fitness, motor- and non-motor functioning.

Study design: Double-blind randomized controlled trial.

Study population: A total of 452 Dutch patients with PD who have no other medical conditions that markedly hamper mobility other than PD, no cognitive impairments that make it difficult to use a game on the smartphone and possess a suitable smartphone, will be recruited.

Intervention: Participants will be randomized to a group that will be motivated to increase their physical activity level to a small, medium, large or very large degree with respect to their own baseline level.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
452
Inclusion Criteria
  • idiopathic PD
  • Hoehn and Yahr 1-3
  • able to understand the Dutch language
  • able to walk independently
  • equal to or less than 120 minutes of sports/outdoor activities per day (question 5-28 LASA Physical Activity Questionnaire (LAPAQ))
  • less than 7,000 steps/day during 1-month baseline (week -4 until 0)
Exclusion Criteria
  • weekly falls in the previous 3 months
  • medical conditions that hamper mobility other than PD
  • living in a nursing home
  • cognitive impairments that hamper use of the motivational app (subjective evaluation by the assessor)
  • not in the possession of a suitable smartphone (Iphone 5S or newer with iOS 10 or higher or Android 4.1 or newer)

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Very high doseStep count increase with the use of a motivational smartphone applicationVery large proportional increase in stepcount relative to baseline stepcount.
Intermediate doseStep count increase with the use of a motivational smartphone applicationMedium proportional increase in stepcount relative to baseline stepcount.
Active controlsStep count increase with the use of a motivational smartphone applicationSmall proportional increase in stepcount relative to baseline stepcount.
High doseStep count increase with the use of a motivational smartphone applicationLarge proportional increase in stepcount relative to baseline stepcount.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Mean change in step count per dayWeek -4 until 0 and week 49 until 52

Mean change in step count per day as measured continuously with the participant's smartphone from baseline (week -4 to 0) to follow-up (week 49-52). Higher scores indicate more physical activity (steps).

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in physical fitness (6MWT)Week 0 (baseline) and week 53 (follow-up)

Change from baseline in meters walked during the six minute walk test (6MWT) at week 53 (follow-up). Higher scores indicate better function.

Change in motor- and non-motor aspects of daily livingWeek 0 (baseline) and week 53 (follow-up)

Change from baseline in the Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) parts Ib and II at 53 weeks (follow-up). Range 0-80. Higher scores indicate worse function.

Change in physical fitness (VO2max)Week 0 (baseline) and week 53 (follow-up)

Change from baseline in VO2max in ml/kg/min assessed by a maximal aerobic exercise test on a cycle ergometer at follow-up (week 53). Higher scores indicate better function. Performed in a subgroup of 100 participants.

Change in Parkinson's Disease symptoms (MDS-UPDRS)Week 0 (baseline) and week 53 (follow-up)

Change from baseline in the Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) at 53 weeks (follow-up). Range 0-199. Higher scores indicate worse function.

Total scores for Parts I, II, III, and IV will also be calculated.

Change in ambulatory capacity (MDS-UPDRS)Week 0 (baseline) and week 53 (follow-up)

Change from baseline in the sum of 5 MDS-UPDRS questions: walking and balance \[question 2.12\], freezing \[q. 2.13\], gait \[q. 3.10\], freezing of gait \[q. 3.11\], and postural stability \[q. 3.12\]). Higher scores imply worse symptoms.

Change in mobility (TUG)Week 0 (baseline) and week 53 (follow-up)

Change from baseline in the time (seconds) needed to complete the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) at 53 weeks (follow-up). Higher scores indicate worse function.

Change in balance (Mini-BestTest)Week 0 (baseline) and week 53 (follow-up)

Change from baseline on the Mini-BestTest at 53 weeks (follow-up).Range 0-28. Higher scores indicate better function.

Change in gait speed (10MWT)Week 0 (baseline) and week 53 (follow-up)

Change from baseline in gait speed (m/s) as assessed by the 10 meter walk test (10MWT). Higher scores indicate better function.

Change in fear of falling (FES-I)Week 0 (baseline) and week 53 (follow-up)

Change from baseline on the Dutch version of the Falls Efficacy Scale International at 53 weeks (follow-up). Range 16-64. Higher scores indicate higher fear of falling.

Number of falls and near-falls (monthly fall diary)Every four weeks after start of the intervention (at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48 and 52 weeks).

Number of falls and near-falls reported monthly by the participants in a fall diary drafted according to the European Physiotherapy guideline for Parkinson's Disease.

Change in handgrip strengthWeek 0 (baseline) and week 53 (follow-up)

Change from baseline in hand grip strength (kg) as assessed with a dynamometer (best out of three attempts).

Change in self-reported physical activity level (LAPAQ)Week -4 (screening), week 0 (baseline) and week 53 (follow-up)

Change from baseline on the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA) physical Activity Questionnaire (LAPAQ). Higher scores indicate a higher physical activity level.

Change in cognition (MOCA)Week 0 (baseline) and week 53 (follow-up)

Change from baseline on the Montreal Cognitive Assessement (MOCA) score at 53 weeks (follow-up). Range 0-30. Higher scores indicate better cognition.

Change in depression and anxiety (HADS)Week 0 (baseline) and week 53 (follow-up)

Change from baseline on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) at 53 weeks (follow-up). Range 0-42. Higher scores indicate worse function.

Change in apathy (AES-12PD)Week 0 (baseline) and week 53 (follow-up)

Change from baseline on the Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES-12PD) at 53 weeks (follow-up). Range 12-48. Higher scores indicate better function.

Change in fatigue (FSS)Week 0 (baseline) and week 53 (follow-up)

Change from baseline on the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) at 53 weeks (follow-up). Range 1-7. Higher scores indicate worse function.

Change in severity of sleep problems and daytime sleepiness (SCOPA-SLEEP)Week 0 (baseline) and week 53 (follow-up)

Change from baseline on the Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson's Disease - Sleep (SCOPA-Sleep) questionnaire at 53 weeks (follow-up).

Change in autonomic dysfunction (SCOPA-AUT)Week 0 (baseline) and week 53 (follow-up)

Change from baseline on the Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson's Disease - autonomic questionnaire (SCOPA-AUT) at 53 weeks (follow-up).

Change in Health related quality of life (PDQ-39)Week 0 (baseline) and week 53 (follow-up)

Change from baseline on the Health related quality of life (PDQ-39) questionnaire at 53 weeks (follow-up). Range 0-100. Higher scores indicate better function.

Perceived effect of intervention (GPE)At week 53 (follow-up)

Perceived effect of intervention as assessed by the Global Perceived effect (GPE) questionnaire (7-point scale) at 53 weeks (follow-up). Range 1-7. Higher scores indicate higher perceived effect.

System Usability (SUS)At week 53 (follow-up)

Usability of the STEPWISE application as assessed by the Dutch version of the System Usability Scale (SUS) at 53 weeks (follow-up). Range 0-100. Higher scores indicate better usability.

Perceived physical ability (LIVAS)Week 0 (baseline) and week 53 (follow-up)

Change from baseline on the percieved physical ability scale (Lichamelijke Vaardigheden Schaal; LIVAS) at 53 weeks (follow-up). Range 10-50. Higher scores indicate higher perceived phisical ability.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Radboud university medical center

🇳🇱

Nijmegen, Gelderland, Netherlands

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