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Gamification and Physical Activity in PD

Randomized-controlled Trial of Remotely-deployed Gamification Interventions to Increase Physical Activity in Veterans With Parkinsons Disease

Who can join

As published by the study on ClinicalTrials.gov. "Not stated" means the study hasn't said — ask the study team.

Age
50 Years to 89 Years
Sex
All sexes
Healthy volunteers
Not accepted
Compensation
Not stated

Other requirements are listed under Eligibility below. Only the study team can confirm whether you can join.

What to expect

No one can promise a trial will help you personally — that is what the research is trying to find out.

What participation involves

  • Procedures mentioned: Wearing a device, Questionnaires

Only what the study's summary and detailed description on ClinicalTrials.gov say. Time periods may describe the whole study or a part of it — ask the study team what applies to you.

Show the study's own words
  • "Aim 2: To determine whether changes in PA resulting from gamification affect motor symptoms in Veterans with PD (tremor, bradykinesia, immobility) measured by wearable sensors (Parkinson's KinetiGraph,PKG)."
  • "Aim 3: To determine whether changes in PA resulting from gamification interventions affect NMS measured using validated questionnaires completed through a web-based digital health platform."
  • "Wearable devices will be used to passively monitor physical activity levels (steps and moderate/vigorous, MVPA)."
  • "Clinical outcomes will be captured by the PKG (motor parkinsonism) and validated questionnaires completed through a digital health platform (non-motor symptoms) Interventions will be deployed using Way to Health, a technology platform that the investigators have demonstrated is feasible to use within the VA Health System."
Compensation
Not stated
  • Study-related exams and procedures are typically provided at no cost. This is how many trials work in general — confirm the details for this study with the study team.
  • Participants are monitored closely by the research team throughout the study.
  • Some participants may receive access to an investigational treatment, which is still being studied.
  • Your participation helps researchers learn whether this approach could help future patients.

About this study

In plain language

This study tests whether game-like activities can help Veterans with Parkinson’s disease become more active. It will also look at how daily steps and exercise intensity affect health.

Despite overwhelming evidence that exercise can improve motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's Disease (PD), less than 25% of Veterans with PD meet recommended activity goals. Interventions to increase PA that are scalable and can be deployed in the community represent a major opportunity. The investigators' preliminary work has demonstrated that gamification, a method commonly used for health promotion, can lead to increases in physical activity in PD. In this study, the investigators will test the effectiveness of gamification in a randomized trial to increase activity. Importantly, the investigators will also examine the effect of step count and exercise intensity on clinical outcomes and explore factors important to widespread implementation of the program VA.

Compensation is read from the study's own description and may be missing — always confirm with the study team.

Eligibility

Who can join

  • You are a Veteran.
  • You have Parkinson’s disease, confirmed by your medical records.
  • You take Parkinson’s medicines on a stable schedule and dose.

Who can't join

  • You have another condition similar to Parkinson’s disease, or take a drug that could cause Parkinson’s-like symptoms.
  • You have a heart condition or another health problem that prevents you from safely increasing physical activity.
  • You do not have access to a smartphone, tablet, or internet-connected computer that works with the Fitbit app and Way to Health program.
  • You have fallen more than twice in the past year.
  • You have been diagnosed with dementia, a condition that affects memory and thinking.

Simplified for readability. The official criteria below are what the study team uses.

Official eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Veterans * Have a clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease (PD) based on diagnosis codes and chart review * Are on a stable regimen of anti-parkinsonian medication Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of an atypical parkinsonian syndrome or concomitant administration of a drug that could cause parkinsonian syndromes * Cardiovascular or other medical comorbidities that preclude participation in an intervention to increase physical activity * Lack of access to a smartphone or other device (tablet or networked computer) that can be used to interface with the Fitbit app and Way to Health platform * Fallen more than twice within the past year (assessed via phone screening) * Clinical diagnosis of dementia

Study sites (1)

PA