The primary purpose of this feasibility study is to assess human user acceptance of the device during 2 lab sessions (aim 1) from which the persons will proceed to 5 lab sessions (aim 2) and during in-home use (aim 3). The in-home aim will also include control persons to allow exploratory collection of clinical data that may provide preliminary outcome data to properly power a future phase 2 randomized clinical trial.~While 18 persons may appear to be a larger than normal number for a device feasibility trial, because Parkinsons patients have a wide range of clinical symptoms, in order to acquire any meaningful data, some spread must be achieved. For example, 3 individuals in several different symptomatic categories. Further, there is some chance of attrition. Lastly, to be clear, details of device design may continue to be modified throughout the study.
The researchers have developed a multifunctional rehabilitation device that will be tested in this feasibility trial across three sub-studies: (i) dual session in-lab; (ii) multi-session in-lab and (iii) in the participant's home. A long-term outcome is to test possible benefits of this device (if accepted by the user Parkinson population) on motor and cognitive functions in a clinical trial in a future study.