ActION-PD
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Action Imagery and Observation in Neurorehabilitation for Parkinson’s Disease (ActION-PD): Development of a personalised home-based therapy.
IRAS ID
196463
Contact name
Ellen Poliakoff
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
The aim of this project is to develop and test the feasibility of a new home-based therapy for Parkinson’s based on action observation. When we observe or even just imagine a movement, the areas of the brain that control our own movement are activated, preparing us to perform the movement ourselves. Observing, imagining and imitating actions can boost performance, such as in athletes, and has been found to improve daily activities following stroke. These processes may also facilitate movement in Parkinson’s, although very little research on this has been carried out.
Our proposed therapy will involve observing, imagining and performing everyday actions from videos, and aims to improve movement initiation and control. Individuals will be able to select actions they wish to train, and the therapy can be personalised to suit the individual’s needs, ability and lifestyle. We will work closely with professionals and people affected by Parkinson’s to develop an initial version of the therapy, which will be delivered via a tablet computer. We will first conduct focus groups with people with Parkinson’s to assess whether the therapy would be appropriate and feasible, and to identify which types of actions would be suitable. We will then trial the therapy with a small number of individuals, who will be interviewed about their experiences after the therapy. We will also assess movements and thinking skills before and after the therapy to identify potential benefits.
This is a new and timely approach to rehabilitation for Parkinson’s, informed by scientific research (including our own current research on imitation in Parkinson’s), which offers flexibility and independence, and is potentially more engaging and effective than other therapies.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/NW/0085
Date of REC Opinion
8 Mar 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion