The investigators propose a Stage-I randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a remotely-delivered, 16-week social-cognitive theory-based behavioral intervention focusing on combined exercise (aerobic and resistance) training for yielding increases in device-measured physical activity and improvements in cognitive function, symptoms, and quality of life (QOL), and social-cognitive theory (SCT) outcomes among physically inactive persons with Parkinson's disease (PD). Participants (N=50) will be randomly assigned into exercise training (combined aerobic and resistance exercise) condition or active control (flexibility and stretching) condition. The 16-week intervention will be delivered and monitored remotely within a participant\'s home/community and supported by Zoom-based chats guided by SCT via a behavioral coach. Participants will receive training materials (e.g., prescriptive manual and exercise equipment), one-on-one coaching, action-planning via calendars, self-monitoring via logs, and SCT-based newsletters. The investigators hypothesize that the home-based exercise intervention will yield improvements in cognitive, symptomatic, and QOL outcomes.
confirmed diagnosis of PD
Internet and email access
willingness to complete the cognitive assessments and questionnaires, wear the accelerometer, and undergo randomization
insufficient physical activity (i.e., not meeting current physical activity guidelines) based on a health contribution score of less than 14 units from the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire
above inclusion criteria not met
moderate or high risk of contraindications for possible injury or death when undertaking strenuous or maximal exercise using the PAR-Q
severe cognitive impairment that might preclude compliance with the conditions based on a modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS-M) score of less than 18
normal cognitive impairment based on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score of 26 or more for avoiding ceiling effects involving change in cognitive function
University of Illinois at Chicago
Lead sponsor
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Collaborator