Action Observation Theraphy in Parkinson's Disease (ACTIONPARK)

March 16, 2018 updated by: Patrizio Sale, IRCCS San Camillo, Venezia, Italy

Action Observation Therapy: a Chance for Parkinson's Disease Patients of Improving Mobility Through a Home-based Training

The main objective of this project is to evaluate the effectiveness of Observation of Action (Action Observation, AO) both in increasing the speed of movement of the upper limbs, agility and locomotion, and in improving the activities and quality of life in people with Parkinson's disease (PD) during a 4-6 month follow-up. The second objective is to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a tele-rehabilitation protocol using home-based AO therapy. The telecommunication technology will provide a complete training through a low-cost software run on a touch-screen device, which will show the actions to be imitated several times by people with PD. This project will be the first attempt to implement AO-based treatment at home and, if successful, will be highly translational to clinical practice thanks to the advanced development and broad accessibility of information technology and telecommunications in our country. Furthermore, continuous exercise will reduce the risks of complications and the frequency of hospital admissions, thus reducing costs for the National Health System.

Study Overview

Status

Unknown

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

The main objective of this project is to evaluate the effectiveness of Observation of Action (AO) both in increasing the speed of movement of the upper limbs, agility and locomotion, and in improving activities and quality of life in people with Parkinson's disease (PD) during a 4-6 month follow-up. The second objective is to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a tele-rehabilitation protocol using home-based AO therapy. The telecommunication technology will provide a complete training through a low-cost software run on a touch-screen device, which will show the actions to be imitated several times by people with PD. This project will be the first attempt to implement AO-based treatment at home and, if successful, will be highly translational to clinical practice thanks to the advanced development and broad accessibility of information technology and telecommunications in our country. Furthermore, continuous exercise will reduce the risks of complications and the frequency of hospital admissions, thus reducing costs for the National Health System.

Parkinson's disease (PD) should impose a growing social and economic burden on our country. In fact, even with optimal medical management, people with PD experience a worsening of mobility and independence in daily activities, with a consequent reduction in quality of life. In the last ten years there has been a growing demand to consider rehabilitation as an essential adjunct to pharmacological treatment. However, the reference rates for physiotherapy for people with Parkinson's disease have been historically low, both because of poor compliance by patients with the therapies of the movement and because of the scarce availability of physiotherapy services. Action Observation Therapy (AO) has recently been described as an effective strategy in stroke rehabilitation (Sale 2011, 2012), since it can shape the reorganization of the neural circuit, promote neural plasticity and motor learning. . The purpose of this study is to verify the efficacy of AO therapy on PD-related disability and to verify the feasibility of a home-based AO protocol.

The first specific objective of this project is to evaluate the effectiveness of action observation as an additional rehabilitative tool to improve upper limb function in terms of bradykinesia and dexterity and to investigate the stability of treatment effects after 4 / 6 months of follow-up regarding functional improvement and quality of life (QoL). The second specific objective of this project is to evaluate the effectiveness of the observation of the action as an additional rehabilitative tool to improve the balance , gait and, consequently, to reduce falls, and to investigate the stability of treatment effects at 4/6 months of follow-up in terms of functional improvement and quality of life (QoL). The third objective is to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a home telerehabilitation protocol (TR) based on AO therapy to improve dexterity and ambulation in people with Parkinson's disease.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Anticipated)

90

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Locations

  • Italy
      • Venezia, Italy, 30126
        • Recruiting
        • IRCCS San Camillo Hospital
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Giovanni Gentile, MSc

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 80 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Diagnosis of idiopathic PD according to the UK BRAIN BANK criteria;
  • Age between 18 and 80 years;
  • Able to walk 25 meters without help or with minimal assistance and sufficient strength to remain standing for at least 20 minutes without assistance for patient report; Stability of drug therapy for Parkinson's disease for at least 4 weeks before the start of the study;
  • Mini-Mental State Examination> 25/30;
  • HAM-D (Hamilton Depression Scale) <17.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • comorbidity with other neurological disorders;
  • heart or orthopedic problems;
  • Chronic alcohol abuse.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: EG1
Each patient will be instructed to carefully observe the finalized movement of the upper limb of an experimenter seated in front (the experimenter's left hand is right in front of the patient's right hand), without moving or imagining the movement.
Behavioral: Live movement observation (Upper Limbs)

All participants will be subjected to two 15-minute sessions per day of the Live movement observation of the upper limbs. The activities of the upper limbs will be based on some relevant activities of daily life such as drinking from a glass, combing, opening a box or eating an apple. The tasks will be both unimanual and bimanual.

Every day, before starting the physical training, the patient will be asked to look carefully at the therapist who shows 20 different daily routine activities (actions) performed with the upper limb.
Experimental: EG2
Each patient will be instructed to look at a computer screen that is in front of him that will show a daily routine task (actions).
Behavioral: Video Observation (Upper Limbs)

All participants will be subjected to two 15-minute sessions per day of the video observation of upper limbs movements. The activities of the upper limbs will be based on some relevant activities of daily life such as drinking from a glass, combing, opening a box or eating an apple. The tasks will be both unimanual and bimanual.

Every day, before starting the physical training, the patient will be asked to carefully watch a video showing 20 different daily routine activities (actions) performed with the upper limb.
Experimental: EG3
Each patient will be instructed to carefully observe the finalized movement performed by an experimenter standing in front of him (the examiner's left leg will be in front of the patient's right leg).
Behavioral: Live Movement Observation (Lowe Limbs)

All participants will be subjected to two 15-minute sessions per day of the Live movement observation of the lower limbs. Tasks to avoid freezing will be based on strategies such as touching the thigh, taking side or back steps, counting out loud while walking.

Every day, before starting the physical training, the patient will be asked to carefully watch the therapist who will show 20 different movement strategies to avoid episodes of freezing the pace (FOG).
Experimental: EG4
Each patient will be instructed to look at a computer screen that is in front of him that will show a daily routine task (actions).
Behavioral: Video Observation (Lower Limbs)
All participants will be subjected to two 15-minute sessions per day of the video observation of lower limbs movements. Tasks to avoid freezing will be based on strategies such as touching the thigh, taking side or back steps, counting out loud while walking. Every day, before starting the physical training, the patient will be asked to carefully watch a video that will show 20 different movement strategies to avoid episodes of freezing the pace (FOG).
Active Comparator: CG1

Participants will be shown for 3 minutes 5 static images that expose objects, none will represent animals or people.

The participant's attention will be kept high through a cognitive task. For each CGail patient condition a sequence of images will be presented for 3 minutes, the images will be displayed separately, each for 30 seconds, and then during the last 30 seconds, will be displayed together with an intrusive image (intruder) that the patient will be asked to identify so that his attention span can be controlled in real time. Participants will then be invited to perform movements of the limbs as far as possible for 2 minutes according to a standard sequence that involves articular mobilizations of upper limbs and simulates that performed by the experimental groups.
Behavioral: Static Picture Observation and Upper Limbs Exercise

Participants will watch for 3 minutes 5 static images that expose objects, none will represent animals or people.

The participant's attention will be kept high through a cognitive task. The patient will be presented a sequence of images for 3 minutes, the images will be displayed separately, each for 30 seconds, and then during the last 30 seconds, they will be displayed together with an intrusive image (intruder) that the patient you will be asked to identify so that your attention span can be controlled in real time. Participants will then be invited to perform limb movements as far as possible for 2 minutes according to a standard sequence involving joint mobilisations of upper limbs, and simulating that performed by the experimental groups.
Active Comparator: CG2

Participants will be shown for 3 minutes 5 static images that expose objects, none will represent animals or people.

The participant's attention will be kept high through a cognitive task. For each CGail patient condition a sequence of images will be presented for 3 minutes, the images will be displayed separately, each for 30 seconds, and then during the last 30 seconds, will be displayed together with an intrusive image (intruder) that the patient will be asked to identify so that his attention span can be controlled in real time. Participants will then be invited to perform movements of the limbs as far as possible for 2 minutes according to a standard sequence that involves articular mobilizations of lower limbs and simulates that performed by the experimental groups.
Behavioral: Static Picture Observation and Lower Limbs Exercise

Participants will watch for 3 minutes 5 static images that expose objects, none will represent animals or people.

The participant's attention will be kept high through a cognitive task. The patient will be presented a sequence of images for 3 minutes, the images will be displayed separately, each for 30 seconds, and then during the last 30 seconds, they will be displayed together with an intrusive image (intruder) that the patient you will be asked to identify so that your attention span can be controlled in real time. Participants will then be invited to perform limb movements as far as possible for 2 minutes according to a standard sequence involving joint mobilisations of lower limbs, and simulating that performed by the experimental groups.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Box and Block test
Time Frame: 4 weeks
The Box and Block Test (BBT) measures unilateral gross manual dexterity. It is a quick, simple and inexpensive test. It can be used with a wide range of populations, including clients with stroke.
4 weeks
Nine Hole Peg Test
Time Frame: 4 weeks
The Nine-Hole Peg Test (9HPT) is used to measure finger dexterity in patients with various neurological diagnoses. Administered by asking the client to take the pegs from a container, one by one, and place them into the holes on the board, as quickly as possible
4 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
MDS-UPDRS part II
Time Frame: 4 weeks
13 items scale focusing on the self-evaluation of the activities of daily life (ADLs) including speech, swallowing, handwriting, dressing, hygiene, falling, salivating, turning in bed, walking, and cutting food. Each subscale now has 0-4 ratings, where 0 = normal, 1 = slight, 2 = mild, 3 = moderate, and 4 = severe.
4 weeks
MDS-UPDRS part III
Time Frame: 4 weeks
18 items scale based on clinician-scored monitored motor evaluation. Each subscale now has 0-4 ratings, where 0 = normal, 1 = slight, 2 = mild, 3 = moderate, and 4 = severe.
4 weeks
PDQ-39
Time Frame: 4 weeks

PDQ-39

There are 39 questions in the long form Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire, with 8 discrete scales: mobility (10 items); activities of daily living (6 items); emotional well-being (6 items); stigma (4 items); social support (3 items); cognitions (4 items); communication (3 items); bodily discomfort (3 items). Patients are asked to think about their health and general well-being and to consider how often in the last month they have experienced certain events (e.g. difficulty walking 100 yards). Patients are asked to indicate the frequency of each event by selecting one of 5 options (likert Scale): never/occasionally/sometimes/often/always or cannot do at all.
4 weeks
Small Coin Rotation Test
Time Frame: 4 weeks
The coin rotation task (CRT) is a simple, convenient, and cost-effective measure of psychomotor processing speed. In the CRT, participants rotate a coin through serial 180-degree turns using the thumb, index, and middle fingers for 10 seconds.
4 weeks
Small Lock Rotation Test
Time Frame: 4 weeks
4 weeks
Clinical Global Impression Scale
Time Frame: 4 weeks
The Clinical Global Impression (CGI) rating scales are measures of symptom severity, treatment response and the efficacy of treatments in treatment studies
4 weeks
3D Movement Analysis
Time Frame: 4 weeks
4 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

IRCCS San Camillo, Venezia, Italy

Collaborators

Università Politecnica delle Marche
University of Genova

Investigators

  • Study Director: Francesco Infarinato, PhD, IRCCS San Raffaele
  • Principal Investigator: Patrizio Sale, PhD, Univesity of Padua

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

April 22, 2015

Primary Completion (Anticipated)

July 31, 2018

Study Completion (Anticipated)

October 31, 2018

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

March 16, 2018

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 16, 2018

First Posted (Actual)

March 23, 2018

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

March 23, 2018

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 16, 2018

Last Verified

March 1, 2018

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • GR-2011-02349761

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Clinical Trials on Parkinson Disease

Clinical Trials on Live movement observation (Upper Limbs)

Search Similar Trials

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

CROs by country

CROs in Uganda

Conditions

Rare Diseases

Drug Interventions

Dietary Supplements

Sponsor/Collaborators

Locations

3
Subscribe