Zesty Exercise System for Therapeutic Engagement
Emory University
46 participants
Mar 16, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
This study will evaluate exercise delivered through the Zesty Exercise System for Therapeutic Engagement (ZEST-E) for people with Parkinson's disease when sessions are monitored either in person or remotely. Participants will complete robot-guided exercise three times per week for three weeks. The study will assess feasibility, retention, safety, acceptability, and tolerability of remotely monitored ZEST-E and will measure changes in functional performance using the Standing Forward Reach test and the 30-Second Chair Stand test. These outcomes reflect range of motion and lower-body strength targeted by the exercise program.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria1
- Older adults with mild to moderate PD.
Exclusion Criteria12
- Acute medical illness requiring hospitalization;
- Under 40 years old;
- Uncontrolled congestive heart failure;
- History of stroke in the past three years;
- Inability to perform study procedures;
- Medical or physical conditions that would preclude participation (e.g., severe arthritis or mobility problems, uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes, renal failure, history of angina with activity);
- On medications that could adversely affect cognition, e.g.: antipsychotics, opioids, stimulants, chemotherapy;
- Psychotic disorders;
- Confounding neurologic conditions (e.g., active central nervous system opportunistic infections, seizure disorders, head injury with loss of consciousness >30 minutes, intracranial neoplasms, stroke with neurological or neuropsychiatric sequelae);
- Substance Use Disorder, Major Depressive and Generalized Anxiety Disorders within six months of evaluation;
- Hohn \& Yahr > 3
- MoCA <17
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Interventions
Participants complete robot-guided exercises using the ZEST-E system. Sessions include reaching, stretching, and dual-task movements for upper and lower limbs. Before each exercise, participants view a video demonstration or receive instruction from staff. ZEST-E presents targets to tap with hands, feet, or knees and uses calibration and practice trials to set positions. The robot operates with force-limited controls, back-drivable joints, and an emergency run-stop button. Participants may request to stop the robot at any time. All participants begin with seated exercises in week 1 and may progress to standing exercises in weeks 2-3 after completing a safety tutorial. Safety supports such as mats, chairs, and gait belts are used during standing tasks. Training will consist of 1-hour bouts, 3 times/week for 3 weeks
Locations(1)
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NCT07382674