Working Memory Training for Parkinson's Disease

(PDWM Trial)

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Gail Eskes

Must be taking: Dopaminergic therapy

Disqualifiers: Dementia, Neurological, Psychiatric, others

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: 10 weeks

30 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This project will investigate the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of an intensive and focused working memory training program for patients in the early stages of PD receiving dopaminergic therapy. The investigators hypothesize that working memory training will be an effective method of improving working memory and related cognitive and behavioural functions in PD patients.

Research Team

Gail Eskes, PhD

Principal Investigator

Dalhousie University

David Westwood, PhD

Principal Investigator

Dalhousie University

Raymond Klein, PhD

Principal Investigator

Dalhousie University

Stephanie Jones, PhD

Principal Investigator

Dalhousie University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for early-stage Parkinson's disease patients who feel their working memory isn't good or have clinically identified memory issues. They must be on a consistent dose of dopaminergic therapy and not have dementia, other major neurological conditions, or severe psychiatric disorders.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease without a known cause.

My Parkinson's disease is in the early stages.

Self-reported concerns about their working memory, or working memory deficits that were identified by a clinical examination

Exclusion Criteria

Presence of dementia or other significant neurological or psychiatric conditions, as determined by clinical history

I am not on a consistent dose of medication for dopamine regulation.

My Parkinson's disease is at an advanced stage.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Participants undergo baseline assessments for working memory, fluid intelligence, and executive functioning

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants engage in working memory training tasks. The early training group starts with adaptive tasks, while the late training group starts with non-adaptive tasks.

10 weeks

Weekly sessions (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in cognitive function and psychosocial outcomes after the training period

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Adaptive working memory training task
• Non-adaptive working memory training task (i.e. an active control task)
• No training

Trial Overview The study tests if working memory training can help with cognitive functions in Parkinson's patients taking dopamine drugs. Participants will try different types of memory tasks to see which might improve their brain function.

Participant Groups

Group I: Late training group Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

The late training group will consist of 10 randomly assigned participants who will engage in a non-adaptive working memory training task (i.e. an active control task) immediately after baseline assessment for 5 weeks. After the initial 5 weeks of the active control task they will then switch to the adaptive working memory task (the intervention) for 5 weeks. This is a randomized controlled cross-over design.

Group II: Early training group Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

The early training group will consist of 10 randomly assigned participants who will begin the adaptive working memory training task immediately after baseline assessment. They will continue training on the adaptive working memory training task for 5 weeks, after which they will continue for 5 weeks using a non-adaptive working memory task (active control task).

Group III: No training group Placebo Group 1 Intervention

The no training group will engage in no training over the course of the pilot study, but will still participate in baseline, 5 week, 10 . This will allow us to determine if changes in the outcome and assessment variables are due to the working memory training or progression in the disease itself.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Gail Eskes

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1

Recruited

30+

Nova Scotia Health Authority

Collaborator

Trials

302

Recruited

95,300+