Motivational Interviewing and Physical Activity Change in Parkinson's Disease

Participants will be randomized into one of four groups to examine two separate
interventions. The groups are: motivational interviewing (a counseling/coaching style), a
web-based application for participants to keep track of their physical activity, a
combination of the motivational interviewing and the web-based application, and an
educational program on various issues related to Parkinson's Disease. The intervention will
last 6 months with a follow-up appointment at 9 months. Participants will be asked to come to
Galter Pavilion at Northwestern Memorial Hospital or Shirley Ryan AbilityLab a total of five
times over the course of the nine months.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Community dwelling

- Age 18 or older

- Physician confirmed diagnosis of PD with Hoehn and Yahr stage ≤3

- Ability to ambulate independently (walker is allowed) for distance of 50 feet or 10
minutes at a time

- Does not meet current CDC physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes of moderate to
vigorous physical activity per week

- Currently and plans to have a smartphone, tablet, or computer and access to the
internet for the next 9 months

- Willing to monitor activity on their smartphone, tablet, or computer via a web-based
application during the 9-month program

- Currently uses the internet in a basic capacity

Exclusion Criteria:

- Inability to speak and understand English

- Has a cardiovascular disorder or other health condition that would make exercise
unsafe according to their physician

- Patients who are currently receiving physical therapy or received physical therapy one
month prior to study enrollment

- Cognitive impairment as defined by inability to provide informed consent and to
self-report feelings and behaviors

- Montreal Cognition Scale (MOCA): rating of less than 24, indicative of cognitive
dysfunction

- Patients who indicate it is not recommended they participate in increased physical
activity as indicated by the Physical Activity Restriction Questionnaire (PAR-Q)

- Patients who are in other studies that monitor fitness or physical activity