In-home Cycling for Individuals With PD: Feasibility

The benefits of exercise for individuals with Parkinson disease (PD) have been well documented; however, individuals with PD living in rural and underserved urban settings are largely unable or unwilling to participate in group exercise programs due in large part to their distance from such programs and financial considerations. Additionally, community based programs which provide social support and engagement have been shown to benefit elderly individuals as well as individuals with pathology, but are equally unattainable to this group. Taking the exercise to these individuals via telemedicine or tele-exercise may be an ideal means of delivering this type of intervention. The long-term goal of this project is to improve outcomes for underserved populations of individuals with Parkinson disease (PD) by providing access to in-home physical activity via a telehealth approach. Approximately one million Americans currently live with a diagnosis of PD and it has been estimated that delaying the progression by 20% would result in a $75,891 savings per individual based on reduced health care costs, income maintenance, increased duration of life and improved quality of life. However, individuals with PD of lower socioeconomic status, people of color and rural dwelling seniors have been critically underserved by clinical and academic programming resulting in poorer health outcomes. This Study will examine the effects of social engagement during in-home exercise on a small sample of individuals with Parkinson Disease (PD). This pilot investigation will directly measure the effect of social support and engagement on exercise outcomes for rural dwelling individuals with PD.