title: Feasibility of a virtual exercise coach to promote walking in community-dwelling persons with Parkinson disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The short-term benefits of exercise for persons with Parkinson disease (PD) are well established, but long-term adherence is limited. The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary evidence of the effectiveness of a virtual exercise coach to promote daily walking in community-dwelling persons with Parkinson disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty subjects with Parkinson disease participated in this phase 1, single-group, nonrandomized clinical trial. The subjects were instructed to interact with the virtual exercise coach for 5 mins, wear a pedometer, and walk daily for 1 mo. Retention rate, satisfaction, and interaction history were assessed at 1 mo. Six-minute walk and gait speed were assessed at baseline and after the intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-five percent of the participants were women, and the mean age was 65.6 yrs. At the study completion, there was 100% retention rate. The subjects had a mean satisfaction score of 5.6/7 (with 7 indicating maximal satisfaction) with the virtual exercise coach. Interaction history revealed that the participants logged in for a mean (SD) of 25.4 (7) days of the recommended 30 days. The mean adherence to daily walking was 85%. Both gait speed and the 6-min walk test significantly improved (P < 0.05). No adverse events were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sedentary persons with Parkinson disease successfully used a computer and interacted with a virtual exercise coach. Retention, satisfaction, and adherence to daily walking were high for 1 mo, and significant improvements were seen in mobility.
authors.affiliation: College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent, Center for Neurorehabilitation, Boston University, MA 02215, USA.
authors.forename: Terry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: Nancy K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Latham
authors.forename: Tamara R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: DeAngelis
authors.forename: Cathi A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saint-Hilaire
authors.forename: Timothy W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Bickmore
mesh_terms: D000054:Acceleration; D000368:Aged; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*
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