Feasibility of a virtual exercise coach to promote walking in community-dwelling persons with Parkinson disease

Abstract

Objective: The short-term benefits of exercise for persons with Parkinson disease (PD) are well established, but long-term adherence is limited. The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary evidence of the effectiveness of a virtual exercise coach to promote daily walking in community-dwelling persons with Parkinson disease.

Design: Twenty subjects with Parkinson disease participated in this phase 1, single-group, nonrandomized clinical trial. The subjects were instructed to interact with the virtual exercise coach for 5 mins, wear a pedometer, and walk daily for 1 mo. Retention rate, satisfaction, and interaction history were assessed at 1 mo. Six-minute walk and gait speed were assessed at baseline and after the intervention.

Results: Fifty-five percent of the participants were women, and the mean age was 65.6 yrs. At the study completion, there was 100% retention rate. The subjects had a mean satisfaction score of 5.6/7 (with 7 indicating maximal satisfaction) with the virtual exercise coach. Interaction history revealed that the participants logged in for a mean (SD) of 25.4 (7) days of the recommended 30 days. The mean adherence to daily walking was 85%. Both gait speed and the 6-min walk test significantly improved (P < 0.05). No adverse events were reported.

Conclusions: Sedentary persons with Parkinson disease successfully used a computer and interacted with a virtual exercise coach. Retention, satisfaction, and adherence to daily walking were high for 1 mo, and significant improvements were seen in mobility.

Conflict of interest statement

Disclosures:

Financial disclosure statements have been obtained, and no conflicts of interest have been reported by the authors or by any individuals in control of the content of this article.

Figures

Figure 1

Screen shots of virtual coach system. (top – animated coach; bottom – self-monitoring graph)

Figure 2

Change in 6 Minute Walk Distance

Figure 3

Change in Self-Selected Walking Speed

Figure 4

Change in Maximal Walking Speed