Telerehabilitation for Parkinson's Disease (TelerehabPD)
Parkinson Disease, Telemedicine
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Parkinson Disease
Eligibility Criteria
Subject Inclusion Criteria:
- Subject's age is greater than or equal to 18.
- Subject has a diagnosis of Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease according to established criteria and this has been confirmed by a Movement Disorders Neurologist.
- Subject's Movement Disorders Neurologist believes he/she would benefit from specialized physical and occupational therapy to reduce fall risk.
- Subject's Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease is Hoehn and Yahr stage 2 or 3 in the "OFF"-medication state (stage 2 defined by bilateral or midline symptoms with less than or equal to 2 steps back on the pull test with self-recovery; stage 3 is defined by more than 2 steps back on the pull test with or without self-recovery, or no steps back and requiring assistance to recover).
- Subject demonstrates the ability to utilize the virtual platform at their initial in-person evaluation.
- Subject has been on a stable medication regimen for the treatment of Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease for the month preceding the baseline in-person visit, and has the ability to maintain stable dosing for the duration of the 10-week primary intervention.
- Subject has home Wi-Fi access for the tele-neurorehabilitation home visits and a personal tablet with Wi-Fi connectivity.
Care Partner Inclusion Criteria:
- Care partner's age is greater than or equal to 18.
- Care partner has been the primary caregiver for >6 months and will remain so for at least 10 weeks to the study subject.
- Care partner has the ability and desire to participate in all of the study visits with the study subject, including the tele-neurorehabilitation home visits.
- Care partner has the ability and desire to provide stand-by assistance, but in the setting of a gait belt, to the study subject during tele-neurorehabilitation home visits.
Subject Exclusion Criteria:
- Subject is non-English speaking.
- Subject has only a provisional diagnosis of Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease or atypical features suggestive of an alternative diagnosis.
- Subject has and additional significant neurologic diagnosis that may render him/her with neurologic deficits that may affect gait and balance.
- Subject has another destabilizing chronic medical condition which may warrant frequent hospitalization or render the patient unable to participate in physical activity.
- Subject requires more than just stand-by assistance for gait and balance.
- Subject is reliant on mobility devices to walk (walkers, cane, walking sticks, motorized scooter, etc).
- Subject is receiving physical therapy elsewhere during the month preceding the study and during the duration of the study.
- Subject has no care partner available to participate in all of the study visits.
- Subject is unable to follow direction or consent to research.
- Subject is unable to commit to the study-related activities and/or schedule of events.
Care Partner Exclusion Criteria:
- Care partner is non-English speaking.
- Care partner is unable to follow direction or consent to research.
- Care partner is unable to commit to the study-related activities and/or schedule of events.
Sites / Locations
- Rush University Medical Center
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Other
Other
TELEREHABILITATION ARM
VIRTUAL HOME SAFETY EVALUATIONS (HSE)-ONLY ARM
ARM 1: The TELEREHABILITATION ARM where participants receive the full originally-intended protocol that includes one initial in-person PT/OT evaluation, four virtual PT/OT visits, and one final in-person (or virtual, if in-person is not possible) PT/OT evaluation. The study duration for Arm 1 is about 10 weeks of the primary intervention as described with 3- and 6-month follow-up calls. The mobile virtual platform for Arm 1 is comprised of a tablet on a height-adjustable rotating tablet floor stand with a gooseneck and wheels.
ARM 2: The VIRTUAL HOME SAFETY EVALUTIONS (HSE)-ONLY ARM where participants ONLY receive the virtual home safety evaluations and surveillance that are built into the original protocol of three of the four tele-OT visits that is being used in Arm 1. The study duration for Arm 2 is about 6 weeks of the primary intervention as described with 3-month and 6-month follow-up calls. The mobile virtual platform for Arm 2 is comprised of a tablet OR smartphone that will be guided through the home by the care partner only and not the patient.