Cycling Induced Motor Cortex Plasticity and Functional Improvement -the Dual Task Evaluation Model for Parkinson Disease

Motor impairment in lower extremities is common in individuals with Parkinson disease (PD). Development sensitive test for early motor deviations is important. Conventional walking test cannot induce the PD related motor impairments, such as freezing of gait. Therefore, finding a safe substitute test to induce PD related motor impairments is important.

Studies showed that working memory related dual task walking was a sensitive test for PD. However, the optimal cognitive test needs to be clarified. Studies also showed that the neuromuscular control mechanism of leg movements during cycling were similar to those during walking. Therefore, dual task cycling test is potential to be a safe and sensitive testing model.

Studies showed that exercise could improve cognitive function and induce brain plasticity. Dual task exercise training was shown to be more effective than single task exercise training for older people to prevent fall. Whether the added cognitive task could improve to detriment brain plasticity in PD should be investigated. Transcranial magnetic stimulation can evaluate the motor cortex plasticity on-invasively and can evaluate the exercise induced brain plasticity.

The purpose of this three-year project is to develop PD-sensitive. The purposes of the first year are to translate the dual task walking test to dual task cycling test, and to establish the reliability of the dual task cycling test.

The purposes of the second year are to compare the motor cortex plasticity induced by single task cycling versus dual task cycling and to compare the difference response between PD and healthy control people.

The purpose of the third year is to evaluate the effect of 8 week long term cycling training or treadmill training of individuals with PD on motor cortex plasticity, dual task performance, and ambulation ability.