Relationship Between Dopaminergic Asymmetric Degeneration and Attentional Resources in Parkinson's Disease.

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The researchers aimed to investigate the relationship between the asymmetric dopaminergic degeneration and the attentional resources in a group of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Detailed Description
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To bypass the impaired habitual motor-behavioural control, Parkinson's disease (PD) patients may exploit the network of goal-directed mode of action. The frontostriatal connections underline this functioning, that is based on attention. Since the cognitive processes are related with dopamine, the asymmetrical degeneration of the dopaminergic system affects differently the right side affected (RPD) and the left side affected (LPD) PD patients. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between the asymmetric dopaminergic degeneration and the attentional resources in a group of patients with PD.

Official Title
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Relationship Between Dopaminergic Asymmetric Degeneration and Attentional Resources in Parkinson's Disease.

Conditions
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Parkinson Disease, Attention Disturbances

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: MIRT


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Stage 2.5-3 according to the Hoehn and Yahr scale (H&Y); Stable pharmacological treatment for the last 6 weeks before the enrolment and during the hospitalization; Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) ≥ 24; No evidences of dysexecutive syndrome. Exclusion Criteria: Any focal brain lesion detected in brain imaging studies (CT or MRI) performed in the previous 12 months; Drug-induced dyskinesias; Disturbing resting and/or action tremor, corresponding to scores 2-4 in the specific items of UPDRS III; Behavioral disturbances (evaluated with Neuropsychiatric Inventory); Visual and auditory dysfunctions according to the general clinical evaluation and medical history; Equivocal report about the side of disease onset or bilateral motor involvement.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 40 Years
Maximum Age: 85 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Other
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: RPD PD patients<br>Right-side affected PD patients. Intervention: MIRT | Other: MIRT<br>* 4-week multidisciplinary intensive rehabilitation treatment<br>|
| Active Comparator: LPD PD patients<br>Left-side affected (LPD) PD patients. Intervention: MIRT | Other: MIRT<br>* 4-week multidisciplinary intensive rehabilitation treatment<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Visual Reaction Times (V RTs) | Visual Reaction Times | 4 weeks | 
| Auditory Reaction Times (A RTs) | Auditory Reaction Times | 4 weeks | 
| Multiple Choices RTs (MC RTs) | Multiple Choices RTs | 4 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) | Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale | 4 weeks | 
| Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) | Timed Up and Go Test | 4 weeks |