Adding computer-based cognitive training to physical therapy for Parkinson's disease

Adding Computer-based Cognitive Training to Conventional Rehabilitation Can Affect Postural Stability , Locomotion and Cognition in Parkinson's Disease Patients

This study is testing if adding computer-based brain training to physical therapy can help people with Parkinson's disease improve their balance and thinking skills.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 70 (estimated)
• Ages: 58 Years to 70 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Cairo University (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Giza)
• Trial ID: NCT06104072 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effects of incorporating computer-based cognitive training into physical therapy for patients with Parkinson's disease. A total of 68 participants, aged 55 to 70, will be randomly assigned to either a control group receiving standard physical therapy or a study group receiving both physical therapy and cognitive training using REHACOM software. The intervention aims to improve postural stability, locomotion, and cognitive performance over a series of 24 sessions conducted over two months. The study will assess outcomes using the Biodex balance system and cognitive performance metrics.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are Egyptian patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease, aged 55 to 70, experiencing mild to moderate disability and mild cognitive impairment.

Not a fit: Patients with secondary or atypical parkinsonism, severe impairments, or major language disturbances may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could enhance balance, mobility, and cognitive function in patients with Parkinson's disease.

How similar studies have performed: While similar cognitive training approaches have shown promise in other studies, this specific combination with physical therapy is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Egyptian Parkinson's Disease patients of both sex , all patients fulfilled the U.K Parkinson's Disease Brain Bank Criteria for diagnosis of idiopathic PD.
* The patients' age ranged from 58 to 68 years.
* The duration of illness ranged from two to five years.
* The severity of the disease ranged from mild to moderate disability according to UPDRS motor scores (part III) and Modified Hoehn and Yahr staging (stage 2.5\&3) .
* Cognitive function ranged from 65 to 81 according to Parkinson's Disease-Cognitive Rating Scale (PD-CRS) that indicates mild cognitive impairment.
* The patients with mild balance and gait impairments
* Medically and psychologically stable patients and of adequate cardiac function to adhere to the protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with secondary parkinsonism (Drug-induced, post traumatic, or post infectious) or atypical parkinsonism.
* Patients with major language disturbance, severe physical, auditory or visual impairment affecting their ability to complete testing.
* Patients with magnetic devices or any other implanted device (e.g., metallic implants such as pacemakers, surgical aneurysm clips...etc).
* Patients with a history of seizure, head injury or brain surgery.
* Complicating or unstable cardiovascular disease (unstable angina, recent myocardial infarction within the last three months, congestive heart failure, significant heart valve dysfunction, or unstable hypertension) or pulmonary disorders.
* Patients with musculoskeletal disorders such as severe arthritis, knee surgery, total hip joint replacement, lower limb fractures or contractures of fixed deformity.
* Patients with evidence from the history, physical examination, or special investigations for any concomitant medical or metabolic illness known to affect cognition e.g. cerebrovascular stroke, thyroid or parathyroid disease, hepatic or renal failure.
* Patients receiving certain drugs known to improve cognition (e.g. rivastigmine, memantine.....etc).
* Patients with current or prior history of major psychiatric disorder and/or current use of anxiolytic, neuroleptic, sedative medication or sleeping aids.
* Uncooperative patients.
* Illiterate patients.

Where this trial is running

Giza

• Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University — Giza, Egypt (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Engy B Saleh, PhD — Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Egypt
• Study coordinator: Engy B Saleh, PhD

Conditions Parkinson Disease; Computer-Based Cognitive training; Parkinsonian Disease; Postural Stability; Gait