Interactive exercise-and-brain game to slow thinking decline in Parkinson's disease
Official title: Neuro-exergaming for the Prevention and Remediation of Decline due to Parkinson's Disease: Clinical Trial of the Interactive Physical and Cognitive Exercise System (iPACES v3)
Funded at Ipaces, LLC · NIH-11145817 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A home-friendly video exercise game that pairs pedaling with mental tasks to help people with Parkinson's disease keep thinking skills sharper.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ipaces, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Clifton Park, United States) |
| Project start | August 11, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,373,201 |
| NIH project number | 5R44NS132690-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11145817 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people with Parkinson's disease who are experiencing early or mild cognitive changes and who can safely use a pedaling/exercise device at home.
✕Less likely to help
People with advanced dementia, severe mobility or balance limitations, unstable medical problems, or who cannot operate the device are unlikely to benefit from this program.
What this research studies
You would use an interactive system (iPACES v3) that combines physical activity (like pedaling) with on-screen cognitive challenges designed for home use. Participants are typically asked to use the system regularly over weeks to months while researchers measure memory, thinking, and daily function before and after the program. The project compares results to a control condition so investigators can see whether the combined physical-and-cognitive game helps more than usual activity. Measurements may include standard cognitive tests and questionnaires about everyday abilities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could help slow cognitive decline or improve thinking and daily functioning in people with Parkinson's disease.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier trials of exergaming in older adults have shown cognitive benefits, though using this specific combined approach for Parkinson's disease is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
Ipaces, LLC
Clifton Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gillen, Robert Willson — Ipaces, LLC
- Study coordinator: Gillen, Robert Willson
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.