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Promoting Physical Activity in People With Parkinson's Disease Through a Smartphone App: A Pilot Study
Sabine Schootemeijer1, Nienke M de Vries, Sirwan K L Darweesh
1Center of Expertise for Parkinson & Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Gelderland, the Netherlands (S.S., N.M.V., S.K.L.D., B.R.B.); Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts (A.A., M.A.S., E.A.M.); Departments of Epidemiology and Nutrition, T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts (A.A.); Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts (M.A.S., E.A.M.); Mass General Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts (M.A.S.); and Biostatistics Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts (E.A.M.).
A 4-week smartphone app intervention successfully increased daily step counts in people with Parkinson's disease (PD). The STEPWISE app demonstrated excellent usability, supporting its further development for remote physical activity promotion in PD.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Digital Health
- Rehabilitation Science
Background:
- Physical activity offers symptomatic benefits for Parkinson's disease (PD) patients.
- Sustaining physical activity remains a significant challenge for individuals with PD.
- Remote interventions are needed to increase physical activity in PD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of increasing daily step counts using a smartphone application in people with PD.
- To evaluate the usability of a motivational smartphone application for remote physical activity intervention in PD.
- To investigate the dose-response relationship between intervention intensity and step count increase.
Main Methods:
- A 4-week, double-blind pilot trial involving 30 participants with PD.
- Randomization into minimal, moderate, or large step count increase groups.
- Continuous step count monitoring via smartphones and usability assessment using the System Usability Scale.
Main Results:
- Daily step counts increased in a dose-dependent manner over 4 weeks.
- Average increases: minimal group (1064 steps), moderate group (1689 steps), large group (2745 steps).
- The STEPWISE app achieved excellent usability scores (mean 86.6/100).
Conclusions:
- A titrated increase in daily steps is feasible for individuals with PD over 4 weeks.
- The STEPWISE smartphone application is a usable tool for promoting physical activity in PD.
- This intervention shows promise as an accessible option for managing PD globally.
