Range of Motion and Intensity Achieved During a Single Session of Targeted Robot-Assisted Exercise in Individuals with Parkinson's Disease: A Pilot Study.

Participants with Parkinson's disease achieved acceptable levels of exercise intensity during a single session of robot-assisted exercise.

• Average ending heart rate was 107.0 ± 11.9 bpm, approximately 70% of maximum heart rate
• Average ending RPE was 6.5 ± 1.8 on a 10-point scale
• These metrics indicated that the sessions were 'appropriately challenging'
• Eleven individuals with PD participated in the pilot study

Standing forward reach improved immediately following a single session of robot-assisted exercise.

• Standing forward reach improved by an average of 1.7 inches
• The improvement was statistically significant (p < 0.01)
• Standing forward reach was used to assess static balance and flexibility
• This demonstrated 'immediate improvements from exercising with the robot'

Range of motion achieved during robot-assisted exercise was dependent upon the specific exercise and joint of interest.

• ROM was collected using inertial measurement units (APDM wearable sensors)
• ROM data were extracted using custom code developed in Matlab
• The robotic system placed targets at different places in space for participants to tap with their hand, foot, or knee
• Different exercises targeted different joints, resulting in exercise-specific and joint-specific ROM outcomes

A novel robotic exercise system was developed that guides individuals with Parkinson's disease through targeted movements in space.

• The system placed a target at different places in space for participants to tap with their hand, foot, or knee
• The system was designed to be used in a 'fun' manner to encourage adherence
• The system was proposed as a potential home-based supplement to physical therapy
• The study authors noted that the number of sessions with a PT can be limited by availability, motivating the home-use rationale