The Effects of Dual Task Training in Individuals With Parkinson's Disease

Not Applicable

Completed

Brief Summary: The primary aim of the proposed project is to characterize dual tasking (DT) deficits to improve motor, cognitive, and quality of life outcomes in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). Phase 1 of the intervention will involve an in-depth gait analysis on 15 individuals with PD. This gait analysis will utilize the Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment (CAREN) system, a virtual reality system with a fully integrated 3-D motion capture system. The purpose of Phase 1 is to generalize characteristics of gait and postural control during specific DT conditions. Phase 2 (N=20) involves the clinical translation of these findings. This phase will involve creating a clinical intervention based on the objective information gathered the CAREN system. The intervention will take place 3x/week for a total of 8 weeks. Interventional groups will include: 1) DT clinical group (N=10) and 2) Single task group (N=10). Outcome measures will be used at the beginning and end of the intervention to assess the feasibility and efficacy of the intervention.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Exclusion Criteria

Undergone any surgical procedure for the treatment of PD, such as deep brain stimulation
Those who are considered to be high risk exercisers per American College of Sports Medicine exercise screening questionnaire
Musculoskeletal injury or neurological injury other than PD that would restrict physical activity
Inability to follow 2 step commands
Significant cognitive impairment as designated by ≥ 3 errors on the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Dual Task Group	Dual Task Group	This group will complete an exercise intervention that involves performing dual tasking activities (simultaneously performing 2 things at once). This group will exercise 3x/wk for 8 weeks.
Single Task Group	Single Task Group	This group will complete an exercise intervention that involves performing single task activities. The participant will perform motor tasks and cognitive tasks individually. This group will exercise 3x/wk for 8 weeks.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Walking Speed During Gait	Phase 1: baseline; Phase 2: baseline, end of treatment (8 weeks), and end of treatment +4 weeks	Average self-selected walking speed without dual tasking.
Step Length During Gait	Phase 1: baseline; Phase 2: baseline, end of treatment (8 weeks), and end of treatment +4 weeks	The average distance from heel strike of the less affected leg to heel strike of the more affected leg. Higher values indicate a longer step length.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
2 Minute Walk Test	Phase 1: baseline; Phase 2: baseline, end of treatment (8 weeks), and end of treatment +4 weeks	A functional endurance assessment, reporting total distance traveled over a 2 minute period. Higher values indicate better functional endurance.
Trail Making Test	Phase 2: baseline, end of treatment (8 weeks), and end of treatment +4 weeks	Cognitive task where the participant connects 25 dots in numerical order. Lower scores indicate better cognitive function. Reported here is total time to complete the task.
Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders Questionnaire	Phase 2: baseline, end of treatment (8 weeks), and end of treatment +4 weeks	Quality of life questionnaire. Reported here is T-Score for the Lower Extremity domain. A T-score of 50 is the mean of the reference population, with higher scores indicating a better outcome.
Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale	Phase 2: baseline, end of treatment (8 weeks), and end of treatment +4 weeks	Balance questionnaire. Scores range from 0-100, with higher scores indicating greater balance confidence.
Reaction Time	Phase 2: baseline, end of treatment (8 weeks), and end of treatment +4 weeks	Average time taken to react to a choice of two stimuli. Lower scores indicate better reaction time.