Grant Details
Description
PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder after
Alzheimer’s disease with prevalence estimated at 0.3% in the general population and at 1% in
individuals over age 60 (Getz & Levin, 2017). In addition to the cardinal motor features
associated with this illness, individuals with PD also experience cognitive decline. While
estimates vary (Goldman et al, 2013), it is estimated that up to 40% of PD patients would meet
criteria for a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment and that up to 80% will develop dementia
over the course of the disease (Kenney et al, 2022). Given limitations in current treatments for
PD and the lack of a complete cure, there is an outcry for additional research into effective
interventions, particularly those that might slow cognitive decline as well as conversion to
dementia (Cammisuli et al, 2019). At present, while dopaminergic medications and surgical
interventions (DBS) often ameliorate some motoric symptoms (at least temporarily), there is
minimal documented neuropsychological benefit. As result, there has been a call for lifestyle
interventions for older adults to prevent, delay or ameliorate cognitive decline via
non-pharmacological interventions such as exercise (Camisul et al, 2019). Our initial
randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigated exergaming for older adults (Anderson-Hanley et
al., 2012a), and revealed significant cognitive benefit after three months of pedaling a virtual
reality enhanced bike or “cybercycle,” compared with traditional pedaling only. Results suggest
that for the same effort, interactive physical and mental exercise on a cybercycle can yield
greater cognitive benefit than physical exercise alone on a stationary bike. Furthermore, there
was a 23% reduction in risk of conversion to MCI among the cybercyclists. The PI and
collaborators have worked to replicate and extend this line of research with patients with varied
neurological conditions which sparked development of a portable, affordable tablet-based
prototype: the interactive Physical and Cognitive Exercise System (iPACES) which can be
paired with an under-table elliptical pedaler for in-home use. Data from in-home pilot trials (v1 &
v2), found executive function significantly improved after 3-months of pedaling-to-play in the
iPACES neuro-exergame, and more so than game-only (Anderson-Hanley et al., 2018b; Wall et
al., 2018). The proposed research aims to replicate and extend these findings in Parkinson’s. If
warranted by the data, we will pursue the goal of offering to patients, families, and healthcare
providers an additional tool for PD patients and caregivers to preserve brain health and curb
cognitive decline, all in the fight against dementia.
Status | Active |
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Effective start/end date | 08/11/23 → 07/31/24 |
Funding
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: $1,326,588.00
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