Predicting Motor Learning of an Upper Limb Task Based on Behavioral and Disease-specific Characteristics in Patients With Parkinson's Disease

NCT06738290 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: B3222020000322
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 100
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Manual dexterity deficits and loss of motor automaticity are commonly seen in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Amongst these problems, using a touchscreen is becoming increasingly burdensome. In addition, a variety of non-motor symptoms, including cognitive impairment have a significant impact on the quality of life of patients with PD which will also affect the use of mobile devices. As the degradation of dopaminergic neurons in the striatum results in an impaired capacity for motor learning and more specifically for consolidation in motor memory, the investigators want to unravel the remaining rehabilitation potential in this patient group. Recent work on the consolidation of an intensive writing training program from our group, indicated inconsistent and variable results on retention of learning gains, which strongly depended on the clinical profile of the patients involved. This raises the question whether it is possible to predict different training responses and better understand how this is determined by clinical characteristics, such as disease severity and the degree of cognitive impairment. Also, baseline task performance and early acquisition may determine long-term learning outcomes. Our main focus (primary dependent outcome) is to know which patients will be able to retain the learning gains after 4 weeks without training. For this aim, the investigators will use a home-based training program of a touchscreen task called the Swipe-Slide Pattern (SSP) task. Training of this SSP-task will be offered on a tablet under single and dual task conditions in a random fashion, not only to provide variation but also to increase the cognitive challenge, thereby stimulating consolidation. A crucial factor, which may affect the success of training, is compliance, which the investigators will measure objectively for the first time. As independent variables the investigators will measure several motor and cognitive functions as well as compliance, while including a broad sample of PD patients.

Conditions

Parkinson Disease

Keywords

Neurologic rehabilitation; Motor learning; Touchscreen skills; Personalization

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Overall learning effects of training on the average slide duration in ST condition

  Using the behavioral data gathered at the different time points (described in Time frame), the changes in average slide duration in ST condition will be determined and used in a multiple linear regression model as dependent variable.

  Baseline and retention (4 weeks)

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• Immediate training effects and retention of training on performance accuracy in ST condition

  Baseline, post (2 weeks) and retention (4 weeks)

• Immediate training effects and retention of training of the average slide duration in ST condition

  Baseline, post (2 weeks) and retention (4 weeks)

• Immediate and retained training effects and overall learning of the average slide duration in DT condition

  Baseline, post (2 weeks) and retention (4 weeks)

• Immediate and retained training effects and overall learning on performance accuracy in DT condition

  Baseline, post (2 weeks) and retention (4 weeks)

• Transfer of learning towards an untrained Mobile Phone Task

  Baseline, post (2 weeks) and retention (4 weeks)

Study Arms (1)

Parkinson's disease

Only one cohort will be observed. All participants have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, according to the criteria of the Movement Disorders Society by a movement disorders specialist. Other eligibility criteria are described below.

Behavioral: Targeted home-based touchscreen training

Interventions

Targeted home-based touchscreen training BEHAVIORAL

Participants will practice the Swipe-Slide Pattern (SSP) task independently at home in both ST and DT condition, offered in a random order. During this task, participants perform different pre-defined patterns by moving their finger over a touchscreen, resembling a touchscreen unlock trace. The DT condition includes the SSP-task while counting either red or green lights illuminated on the screen. They will receive 10 training sessions of the SSP-task over a period of two weeks. Each week will consist of 5 consecutive days of training for approximately 10 min. per session. Participants will perform 9 trials of 12 patterns each, alternated with rest periods of 14s. Instruction and answers are also included. Feedback will be provided during the rest periods.

Parkinson's disease

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Recruiting of PD patients will be in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Wim Vandenberghe and Dr. Bruno Bergmans. Patients will receive information about the study after which they can contact the researcher. In addition, our lab has a database with contact information of patients that allowed storages of their information. Moreover, our network of neurologists and physiotherapists across Flanders will be contacted. Finally, our website contains all the information about the ongoing studies. All interested patients will receive detailed information about the aims and procedures of the study before partaking in the study.

You may qualify if:

• Diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease based on the criteria of the Movement Disorders Society
• Right-handed, or right-handed use of touchscreen devices.

You may not qualify if:

• Parkinson's disease dementia (PD-D), determined by the level I diagnostics according to Dubois et al. (2007)
• Comorbidities of the upper limb that could interfere with the study and are not caused by Parkinson's disease
• Other neurological disorders besides Parkinson's disease
• Color blindness as determined by the Ishihara test for color deficiency

Sponsors & Collaborators

• KU Leuven: lead

Study Sites (1)

Department of Rehabilitation Sciences KU Leuven

Leuven, 3001, Belgium

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Parkinson Disease

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Parkinsonian Disorders; Basal Ganglia Diseases; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Movement Disorders; Synucleinopathies; Neurodegenerative Diseases

Study Officials

• Alice Nieuwboer, PhD

  KU Leuven

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Emeritus Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 12, 2024
• First Posted: December 17, 2024
• Study Start: January 10, 2022
• Primary Completion: December 12, 2024
• Study Completion: December 13, 2024
• Last Updated: March 3, 2025

Record last verified: 2024-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

BE (1)