Testing a New Robotic System for Motor and Cognitive Exercise in People with Parkinsons Disease Aged 50 to 75

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate a new robotic system designed to help people with Parkinsons disease PD improve both motor and cognitive functions. The study focuses on a gamified rehabilitation approach that uses robots and music while participants are seated. Researchers will collect both subjective feedback from users and objective measurements of motor and cognitive performance to understand the systems effects. The study will involve 15 individuals with Parkinsons disease, aged 50 to 75, who will each use the robotic system five times, with each session lasting 30 minutes. The intervention includes features like repetitive and goal-oriented practice, varied difficulty levels, rhythmic cues, and social interaction. This is the first socially assistive robotic platform developed specifically for people with PD, and it may become part of clinical rehabilitation tools if successful. Participants will undergo assessments before the first session and after completing all five sessions. These evaluations include cognitive tests like the MoCA and Color Trails Test, motor assessments such as the UPDRS and Box & Blocks Test, and questionnaires on usability, motivation, and satisfaction. Researchers will monitor engagement levels and improvements in motor and cognitive functions over the course of the study, which is expected to continue until August 2025.

A Novel Robotic System for Motor-cognitive Exercise for Patients With Parkinson's Disease