ZEST-E: Robotic- assisted exercise for people with Parkinson's disease

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study tests the ZEST-E robot-assisted exercise system in people with Parkinson's disease, comparing in-person and remote monitoring. Participants perform robot-guided exercises three times per week for three weeks, focusing on movements that improve range of motion and lower-body strength. Outcomes include feasibility, retention, safety, acceptability, tolerability, and functional performance measured by the Standing Forward Reach and the 30-Second Chair Stand tests. The goal is to determine whether remote delivery of ZEST-E is a viable option for broader access to structured exercise in this population.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

-Older adults with mild to moderate PD.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Acute medical illness requiring hospitalization;
* Under 40 years old;
* Uncontrolled congestive heart failure;
* History of stroke in the past three years;
* Inability to perform study procedures;
* Medical or physical conditions that would preclude participation (e.g., severe arthritis or mobility problems, uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes, renal failure, history of angina with activity);
* On medications that could adversely affect cognition, e.g.: antipsychotics, opioids, stimulants, chemotherapy;
* Psychotic disorders;
* Confounding neurologic conditions (e.g., active central nervous system opportunistic infections, seizure disorders, head injury with loss of consciousness \>30 minutes, intracranial neoplasms, stroke with neurological or neuropsychiatric sequelae);
* Substance Use Disorder, Major Depressive and Generalized Anxiety Disorders within six months of evaluation;
* Hohn \& Yahr \> 3
* MoCA \<17

Where it's running

• Emory University, 57 Executive Park S NE, Ste 200
  Atlanta, Georgia, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Madeleine Hackney, PhD — Emory University
• Study coordinator: Madeleine Hackney, PhD
• Email: mehackn@emory.edu
• Phone: 314-412-4852

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.