A Pilot Study of the Effects of Balance Training Using the Wii Balance Board on Balance and Ambulation in Adults With Parkinson's Disease

The study is a cohort study using outpatients with Parkinson's Disease in Hoen and Yahr Stage 2.5 - 3. Participants will have pre- and post-exercise testing, as well as participate in an 8-week balance-training program.

Subjects Subjects will be recruited from the outpatient clinics (physician, therapy) at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) as well as the Northwestern Movement Disorders Clinic, through the Department of Neurology. Approximately 20 subjects will be screened for inclusion from these institutions and 12 subjects will be enrolled in the study. (see Power analysis below).

Recruitment Procedures

Potential subjects will be approached by their treating outpatient physician (Physiatrist or Neurologist) or Physical or Occupational Therapist to see if they would be interested in participating in the study. The principal investigator will also send introductory letters to his outpatients at RIC informing them of the study. Letters will only be sent to the PI's patients (Dr. Marciniak, Dr. Toledo). Potential subjects will be educated regarding study procedures, risks and benefits, and privacy risks. Informed consent will be obtained only during initial screening and signed if the patient is interested in proceeding. Eligibility criteria will be screened for (See below). Subjects who lack decisional capacity will not included in the study.

Study Procedures This study will involve an initial visit (Visit 1) for screening and baseline data collection. The therapy/intervention sessions will be held 3 times per week for 8 weeks, (Visits 2 - 25), and there will be 1 post-intervention visit for data collection (Visit 26). Subjects will be reimbursed 11 dollars for parking expenses that will be mailed to them weekly in the form of a check. All visits will take place at Abbott Hall, 3rd floor exercise room and all visits will take approximately 1 ½ hrs.