Action Observation and Motor Imagery Therapy in Parkinson's Disease

Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-65
SponsorKaramanoğlu Mehmetbey University

About this trial

In recent years, motor imagery (MI) and action observation (AO) therapy strategies have been used in rehabilitation programs to increase motor learning in Parkinson's disease (PD). Visuomotor training strategies such as AO and MI therapy rely on the activity of the mirror neuron system to facilitate motor re-learning. Mirror neurons are activated during the performance of goal-directed actions, also when observing the same action and visualizing the action in the mind.

The aim of this clinical trial is to test whether the application of AO and MI treatment in PD in addition to conventional rehabilitation programs has an additional effect on Balance, Functional Status and Quality of Life.

Eligibility criteria

This trial does not accept healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Patients with a diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease

Hoehn and Yahr Stage 1-3

Disqualifiers

Patients with cognitive dysfunction (those who cannot follow simple verbal instructions)

Patients with severe hearing problems

Patients with severe vision problems

Patients with additional musculoskeletal system pathology that will affect physical performance (such as amputation, severe joint mobility limitation, peripheral nerve damage)

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Action observation and motor imagery therapy for rehabilitation

    Other intervention

    Action observation; Patients will watch some exercises accompanied by music from a previously prepared video for 10 minutes. Exercises include 8-10 repetitions of abduction-adduction, horizontal abduction-adduction, flexion-extension and supination-pronation movements for the upper extremity, and stepping, forward-backward stepping, side stepping and ankle dorsiflexion movements for the lower extremity. Motor imagery training; Patients will be asked to visualize the actions they watched in their minds for 10 minutes. Then the patients will watch the video again and will be asked to perform the exercises while watching.

  • Sham action observation and motor imagery therapy for rehabilitation

    Other intervention

    Sham action observation; Patients will watch a video consisting of static nature photographs for 10 minutes with the same music. Sham motor imaginary; Patients will think about the video they watched for 10 minutes. Then, they will watch another video in which the exercises are performed only once, and they will be asked to do the exercises. They will be given enough time to do 8-10 repetitions.

Treatment groups

54 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups
Group A: Action observation and motor imagery therapy for rehabilitationExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: Sham action observation and motor imagery therapy for rehabilitationSham comparator 1 intervention

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

The difference in the scores of the Berg Balance Scale between pre- and post-rehabilitation assessments

Univariate statistical analyses will be performed to calculate differences in the scores of the Berg Balance Scale between pre- and post-rehabilitation assessments. Berg Balance Scale consists of 14 items. Total score ranges from 0 to 56. Higher scores indicate better balance.

Time frame
6 weeks
2

The difference in the scores of the The Movement Disorder Society-Sponsored Revision of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale pre- and post-rehabilitation assessments

Univariate statistical analyses will be performed to calculate differences in the scores of the The Movement Disorder Society-Sponsored Revision of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale between pre- and post-rehabilitation assessments. The Movement Disorder Society-Sponsored Revision of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) consists of four sections: Part 1: non-motor experiences of daily living, Part 2: motor experiences of daily living, Part 3: motor examination, Part 4: motor complications. It consists of a total of 50 questions. In this study, sections II (motor experiences of daily living) and III (motor examination) will be used. Each item is is scored between 0 and 4. Higher values indicate that the patient's condition is worse.

Time frame
6 weeks
3

The difference in the scores of the Timed Up and Go Test between pre- and post-rehabilitation assessments

Univariate statistical analyses will be performed to calculate differences in the scores of the Timed Up and Go Test between pre- and post-rehabilitation assessments

Time frame
6 weeks
4

The difference in the scores of the Five Times Sit to Stand Test between pre- and post-rehabilitation assessments

Univariate statistical analyses will be performed to calculate differences in the scores of the Five Times Sit to Stand Test between pre- and post-rehabilitation assessments

Time frame
6 weeks

Secondary outcomes

1

The difference in the scores of the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire between pre- and post-rehabilitation assessments

Univariate statistical analyses will be performed to calculate differences in the scores of the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39) between pre- and post-rehabilitation assessments. Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire consists of a total of 39 items and eight subgroups. In the survey, each item is scored between 0 and 4. Lower scores indicate better quality of life.

Time frame
6 weeks
2

The difference in the scores of the Freezing of Gait Questionnaire between pre- and post-rehabilitation assessments

Univariate statistical analyses will be performed to calculate differences in the scores of the Freezing of Gait Questionnaire between pre- and post-rehabilitation assessments. Freezing of Gait Questionnaire consists of six questions. Each question has a 5-point scale, where 0 means an absence of symptoms and 4 represents the worst stage. The total score on the Freezing of Gait Questionnaire ranges from 0 to 24 points. The higher the score is, the more the Freezing of Gait is pronounced.

Time frame
6 weeks

Other outcomes

Sponsors and contacts

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Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University

Lead sponsor

Karaman Training and Research Hospital

Collaborator