Improve balance using exercise priming
- Trial ID
- NCT06133283
- Official Title
- High Intensity Endurance Exercise as a Primer to Virtual Reality for Optimizing Cortical Excitability and Neuroplasticity in Parkinson's Disease (PD)
- Goal
- Improve balance using exercise priming
- Phase
- NA
- Status
- RECRUITING
- Sponsor
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Enrollment
- 16 participants
- Conditions
- Parkinson Disease
- Interventions
- High intensity endurance exercise, Stretching exercise, Virtual reality (VR)-based gaming
Summary For Families
The goal is to test whether a short bout of high intensity endurance exercise done before virtual reality balance games can boost cortical excitability and neuroplasticity, so people with Parkinson's get more benefit for balance and motor learning. The approach compares high intensity aerobic exercise to a stretching control, then has participants do VR-based gaming that practices balance; the idea is that aerobic exercise can raise factors like BDNF and temporarily increase corticomotor excitability, making the brain more ready to learn from the VR practice. The VR sessions give focused, engaging motor practice for balance and gait. The study is looking for people aged 18 to 85 with idiopathic PD in Hoehn and Yahr stages 2 to 3, who have MMSE scores of 23 or higher and a miniBESTest of 21.5 or lower, and who do not have other major neurological, cardiopulmonary, seizure, pregnancy, DBS, or skull/head issues or take medications that alter brain excitability.
Locations
- UT Health San Antonio- Dept. of Physical Therapy, San Antonio, Texas, United States
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is this trial testing?
- This trial is studying High intensity endurance exercise. The goal is to test whether a short bout of high intensity endurance exercise done before virtual reality balance games can boost cortical excitability and neuroplasticity, so people with Parkinson's get more benefit for balance and motor learning. The approach compares high intensity aerobic exercise to a stretching control, then has participants do VR-based gaming that practices balance; the idea is that aerobic exercise can raise factors like BDNF and temporarily increase corticomotor excitability, making the brain more ready to learn from the VR practice. The VR sessions give focused, engaging motor practice for balance and gait. The study is looking for people aged 18 to 85 with idiopathic PD in Hoehn and Yahr stages 2 to 3, who have MMSE scores of 23 or higher and a miniBESTest of 21.5 or lower, and who do not have other major neurological, cardiopulmonary, seizure, pregnancy, DBS, or skull/head issues or take medications that alter brain excitability.
- Who can participate?
- Participants must be between 18 Years and 85 Years.
- Where is this trial located?
- This trial is recruiting at 1 location.
- Does it cost anything to join?
- No. There is no cost to participate. Study-related care and treatment are provided at no charge.
- How long does the trial last?
- This trial is estimated to last approximately 2 years and 11 months.
- Will I get the real drug or a placebo?
- It depends on the trial design. Some Parkinson's trials are placebo controlled, meaning a portion of participants get an inactive comparison while others get the experimental treatment. Some use crossover designs so everyone eventually receives the active treatment at some point. Observational trials do not use a placebo at all because they are not testing a new treatment. The consent form for any specific trial spells out the design and your odds of being assigned to placebo before you enroll.
- How often will I need to visit the study site?
- Visit frequency varies by trial. Many Parkinson's studies require an in person visit every 4 to 12 weeks during the active treatment phase, with shorter or longer gaps depending on the design. The site coordinator can give you the full visit schedule before you sign anything, so you know what the time commitment looks like.
- Can I leave the trial if I change my mind?
- Yes. You can withdraw from any clinical trial at any time, for any reason, without affecting your standard medical care. Trials are voluntary by law. The team may ask if you are willing to do a brief exit visit so they can collect safety information, but you are not obligated.
- Will travel or parking be reimbursed?
- Many trials reimburse for parking, mileage, and sometimes lodging if the site is far from your home. Reimbursement policies vary by sponsor and site. When you contact the trial team, ask specifically what is covered and how reimbursement is processed.
- Can my spouse or care partner come with me to visits?
- In most cases yes, and it is often encouraged. Care partners can help with notes, questions, and getting home safely after a long visit. Some study assessments do need to happen one on one, but care partners are usually welcome for the rest of the appointment.