Remotely deployed gamification to boost activity for Veterans with Parkinson’s
Official title: Randomized-controlled trial of remotely-deployed gamification interventions to increasephysical activity in Veterans with Parkinson's Disease
Funded at Philadelphia VA Medical Center · NIH-11296987 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A remote, gamified program using wearables aims to help Veterans with Parkinson’s increase daily physical activity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Philadelphia VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 1I01RD001318-01A2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11296987 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Veterans diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease who are able to participate in remotely-delivered activity programs.
✕Less likely to help
Patients unable to engage with wearable devices or remote interventions may not experience benefits.
What this research studies
This project tests a wearable-based, gamified approach designed to help Veterans living with Parkinson’s Disease move more and potentially feel better. Participants will use devices and digital prompts to stay motivated and increase their daily step counts, with the intervention delivered remotely and tailored to individual needs. The study will track physical activity as well as motor and non-motor outcomes to see if more activity translates into noticeable benefits in daily life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, Veterans with Parkinson’s could experience more movement in daily life and improvements in both motor and non-motor symptoms.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggest increased steps by about 20% in similar interventions, but this exact approach in PD is being tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Philadelphia VA Medical Center
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Morley, James — Philadelphia VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Morley, James
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Gut-brain clues in Parkinson’s disease: supplement to a large registry
A plant-wide supplement to an NIH program will enroll people with Parkinson’s, with and without GI symptoms, plus healthy controls, to study how gut function, brain signals, and sleep rhythms relate to Parkinson’s symptoms.
-
Gut-brain connections in Parkinson’s disease: how the gut and environment shape symptoms
A Mayo Clinic team is studying how gut problems, environmental factors, and genetics together influence Parkinson’s disease and its GI symptoms to find biomarkers and better understanding of the disease.
-
Benfotiamine for early Alzheimer's disease in a Phase II trial
A first-in-class blood-brain barrier form of vitamin B1 (benfotiamine) is being tested in people with early Alzheimer’s disease to see if it can help memory and thinking.
-
Gut-brain communication in Parkinson’s disease for better symptoms and daily life
This project enrolls people with Parkinson’s disease and healthy controls to build a big registry and study how gut function, brain signals, sleep, and circadian rhythms relate to PD symptoms.
-
Gut microbiome and Parkinson's disease: how gut bugs relate to symptoms and progression
A multi-year study will look at gut bacteria and related markers in people with Parkinson’s disease to understand how the gut-brain connection may influence symptoms and progression.
-
Gut-Brain Axis in Parkinson’s Disease: biomarkers and procedures to track progression
A patient-focused program to study how gut health and the brain interact in Parkinson’s disease using biomarkers and clinical procedures.
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.