Support for Physical Activity in Everyday Life With Parkinson's Disease

Support for Physical Activity in Everyday Life With Parkinson's Disease Using eHealth Technology

This study aims to determine the effects of a motor-cognitive exercise intervention, delivered in the home environment using eHealth methods, among people with Parkinson's disease. The intervention will support and motivate motor training, combined with cognitive training, aimed at attentional and executive functions, among people at mild-moderate disease stages. The main hypothesis is that unsupervised motor-cognitive training in the home environment using eHealth will lead to improvements in gait performance, increased physical activity levels and improved perceived health.

This randomised controlled trial will investigate the efficacy of a motor-cognitive exercise program in the home environment, over a 10-week period, on physical function, and motor-cognitive dual task function as well as physical activity behavior in everyday life. A follow-up assessment comprising health-related questionnaires and physical activity monitoring will be conducted at one year post-intervention. Participants will be recruited through Stockholms sjukhem foundation, Karolinska University and via announcements in relevant forums like for instance the Swedish Parkinson Association. Consenting participants will be randomized to the eHealth Intervention group or the control group condition. Block randomization will be achieved using a computerized random sequence generator. Blinded assessors will perform the pre- and post-intervention testing of physical performance.

The ultimate aim of this project is to provide people with PD with continual long-term and evidence-based rehabilitation in their everyday lives using mobile health technology, to support their self- management and increase their quality of life.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson´s disease
• Hoehn & Yahr (Parkinsons progression scale) 1-3
• ≥ 50 years of age
• Able to ambulate indoors without mobility aid
• Able to walk continually with/without a walking aid for at least 6 minutes

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cognitive impairment affecting the ability to understand or follow verbal or written instructions (Montreal Cognitive Assessment ≤ 21 points
• Major problems with freezing and/or two or more falls in the month previous to inclusion
• Other existing neurological/ orthopedic or cardiovascular disease which impedes the performance of unsupervised exercise
• Impaired vision and/or impaired communication which hinders participation
• No internet connection in the home