Abstract
Introduction: Impairment of dual-tasking, as an attention-based primary cognitive dysfunction, is frequently observed in Parkinson's Disease (PD). The Training-PD study investigated the efficiency of exergaming, as a novel cognitive-motor training approach, to improve attention-based deficits and dual-tasking in PD when compared to healthy controls.Methods: Eighteen PD patients and 17 matched healthy controls received a 6-week home-based training period of exergaming. Treatment effects were monitored using quantitative motor assessment of gait and cognitive testing as baseline and after 6 weeks of training.Results: At baseline PD patients showed a significantly worse performance in several quantitative motor assessment parameters and in two items of cognitive testing. After 6 weeks of exergames training, the comparison of normal gait vs. dual-tasking in general showed an improvement of stride length in the PD group, without a gait-condition specific improvement. In the direct comparison of three different gait conditions (normal gait vs. dual-tasking calculating while walking vs. dual-tasking crossing while walking) PD patients showed a significant improvement of stride length under the dual-tasking calculating condition. This corresponded to a significant improvement in one parameter of the D2 attention test.Conclusions: We conclude, that exergaming, as an easy to apply, safe technique, can improve deficits in cognitive-motor dual-tasking and attention in PD.
Highlights
Impairment of dual-tasking, as an attention-based primary cognitive dysfunction, is frequently observed in Parkinson’s Disease (PD)
Inclusion criteria for Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients were: [1] diagnosis of PD according to the UK brain bank criteria and [2] Hoehn and Yahr score ≤ 2.5
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) total score at baseline was comparable between PD patients (Mean: 27.3) and Controls (Mean: 27.2)
Summary
Impairment of dual-tasking, as an attention-based primary cognitive dysfunction, is frequently observed in Parkinson’s Disease (PD). The Training-PD study investigated the efficiency of exergaming, as a novel cognitive-motor training approach, to improve attention-based deficits and dual-tasking in PD when compared to healthy controls. Impairment of dual-tasking, as a primary cognitive deficit with a direct impact on motor and especially gait functions [2,3,4,5], is frequently observed in PD. Functional MRI studies revealed a close relation of altered attentional networks and dual-task performance [6, 7]. Previous studies showed that both, attentional cognitive performance and dual-tasking are responsive to training interventions and have a reciprocal impact on each other [10,11,12]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
