The Effect of Cognitive Stimulation Interventions Based on Enjoyable Activities with and Without Motivational Feedback on Cognitive, Psychological, and Occupational Functions in the Elderly with Parkinson’s Disease and Cognitive Impairment
To evaluate the effects of cognitive stimulation interventions based on enjoyable occupations with and without motivational feedback on cognitive, psychological, and occupational functions in elderly people with Parkinson’s disease and cognitive impairment.
Design
A controlled, parallel-group, Single-blind, randomized clinical trial on 75 patients. Randomization will be generated using the website http://www.randomizer.org
Settings and conduct
Study location: Rehabilitation clinics in Tehran; Study population: Elderly aged 65 and over with Parkinson’s disease at Hoehn & Yahr stages 1 to 3; Type of blinding: Single-blind; Blinding method: Participants and outcome assessors are blinded; therapists are not.
Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Age ≥ 65 years, Idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (Hoehn & Yahr stage 1–3), Mild cognitive impairment (MoCA score 18–23)
Non-inclusion criteria: Presence of other neurological or orthopedic disorders, Diabetes, or substance abuse
Intervention groups
Control group: Routine occupational therapy including stretching, strengthening, balance, postural control, and fine motor training for 12 sessions (6 weeks, two sessions per week).
Intervention group 1: Cognitive stimulation based on enjoyable occupations with motivational feedback, involving meaningful activities (e.g., cooking, painting, gardening) integrated with cognitive tasks and motivational feedback, delivered over 12 sessions (6 weeks, two sessions per week).
Intervention group 2: Cognitive stimulation based on enjoyable occupations without motivational feedback, involving the same activities and cognitive tasks but without motivational feedback, delivered over 12 sessions (6 weeks, two sessions per week).
Main outcome variables
Satisfaction of performance; performance
General information
Reason for update
Acronym
IRCT registration information
IRCT registration number:IRCT20140612018077N4
Registration date:2025-08-30, 1404/06/08
Registration timing:prospective
Last update:2025-08-30, 1404/06/08
Update count:1
Registration date
2025-08-30, 1404/06/08
Registrant information
Name
Maryam Mehdizadeh
Name of organization / entity
Iran University of Medical Sciences
Country
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Phone
+98 912 945 4770
Email address
maryam.mehdizadeh_22@yahoo.com
Recruitment status
recruiting
Funding source
Expected recruitment start date
2025-10-22, 1404/07/30
Expected recruitment end date
2026-06-20, 1405/03/30
Actual recruitment start date
empty
Actual recruitment end date
empty
Trial completion date
empty
Scientific title
The Effect of Cognitive Stimulation Interventions Based on Enjoyable Activities with and Without Motivational Feedback on Cognitive, Psychological, and Occupational Functions in the Elderly with Parkinson’s Disease and Cognitive Impairment
Public title
Cognitive Stimulation with Enjoyable Activities for Elderly with Parkinson’s Disease
Purpose
Treatment
Inclusion/Exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:
Being at the age of 65 years or older
disease severity of 1–3 on the Hoehn & Yahr scale
impairment of cognitive function, with a score of <24 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment
idiopathic Parkinson’s disease confirmed by a neurologist
Exclusion criteria:
Comorbid neurological/orthopedic conditions affecting mobility, per physician report
Substance abuse
History of diabetes mellitus
Age
From 65 years old
Gender
Both
Phase
N/A
Groups that have been masked
Outcome assessor
Sample size
Target sample size:
60
Randomization (investigator's opinion)
Randomized
Randomization description
The type of randomization used in this study is block randomization, which will be performed using the website http://www.randomizer.org by a person independent of the therapist and evaluator. Participants in different groups will have no contact with each other and will receive the interventions on different days. All participants in the three groups will be assessed before the intervention, after the intervention, and at follow-up (six weeks after the end of the intervention).
Blinding (investigator's opinion)
Single blinded
Blinding description
The assessors, data collectors, and the statistician responsible for data analysis will also be blinded to group allocation. The therapists delivering the interventions cannot be blinded due to the nature of the intervention. The principal investigator will not be involved in the intervention delivery or outcome assessment and will only have access to de-identified data.
Placebo
Not used
Assignment
Parallel
Other design features
Secondary Ids
empty
Ethics committees
1
Ethics committee
Name of ethics committee
Ethics Committee of Iran University of Medical Sciences
Street address
ran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), next to Milad Tower, Hemmat Expressway, Postal Code: 1449614535
City
Stockholm
Province
Tehran
Postal code
1449614535
Approval date
2025-08-18, 1404/05/27
Ethics committee reference number
IR.IUMS.REC.1404.522
Health conditions studied
1
Description of health condition studied
Parkinson's disease
ICD-10 code
G20
ICD-10 code description
Parkinson's disease
Primary outcomes
1
Description
Satisfaction of performance
Timepoint
Baseline, post-intervention (week 12), and follow-up (week 18)
Method of measurement
The score of satisfaction with performance will be measured using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). This score reflects the participants' level of satisfaction with their performance in daily activities, rated on a 10-point scale, where higher scores indicate greater satisfaction.
2
Description
performance
Timepoint
Baseline, post-intervention (week 12), and follow-up (week 18)
Method of measurement
The performance score will be measured using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). This score reflects the participants' level of performance in daily activities and is recorded on a 10-point scale, where higher scores indicate better performance.
Secondary outcomes
1
Description
Global cognitive function
Timepoint
Baseline, post-intervention (week 12), and follow-up (week 18)
Method of measurement
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a screening tool assessing short-term memory, executive function, attention and concentration, language, and visuospatial skills. Total score ranges from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating better cognitive performance.
2
Description
Parkinson’s disease-specific cognitive function
Timepoint
Baseline, post-intervention (week 12), and follow-up (week 18)
Method of measurement
Parkinson’s Disease Cognitive Rating Scale (PD-CRS), assessing cortical and subcortical cognition. Total score 0–134; lower scores reflect greater impairment.
3
Description
Cognitive performance including attention, processing speed, and executive function
Timepoint
Baseline, post-intervention (week 12), and follow-up (week 18)
Method of measurement
SCOPA-Cog (Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson’s Disease-Cognition), 10 items; total score 0–43, higher scores indicate better performance.
4
Description
Cognitive control and selective attention
Timepoint
Baseline, post-intervention (week 12), and follow-up (week 18)
Method of measurement
Stroop Test, naming ink color in incongruent conditions; outcomes: response time and error count.
5
Description
Processing speed and cognitive flexibility
Timepoint
Baseline, post-intervention (week 12), and follow-up (week 18)
Method of measurement
Trail Making Test (TMT), part A (numbers) and part B (alternating numbers and letters). Main outcome: completion time.
6
Description
Executive function and visuospatial memory
Timepoint
Baseline, post-intervention (week 12), and follow-up (week 18)
Method of measurement
Clock Drawing Test (CDT), drawing a clock with a set time; scored for accuracy and correct placement of hands.
7
Description
Anxiety level
Timepoint
Baseline, post-intervention (week 12), and follow-up (week 18)
Method of measurement
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), anxiety subscale with 7 items (scored 0–3). Higher scores = greater anxiety.
8
Description
Depression level
Timepoint
Baseline, post-intervention (week 12), and follow-up (week 18)
Method of measurement
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Depression subscale with 7 items (scored 0–3). Higher scores = greater Depression.
9
Description
Intrinsic motivation in performing activities
Timepoint
Baseline, post-intervention (week 12), and follow-up (week 18)
Method of measurement
Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI), 45 items across 7 subscales. Total score 45–315.
10
Description
Parkinson’s disease-specific quality of life
Timepoint
Baseline, post-intervention (week 12), and follow-up (week 18)
Method of measurement
Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39), 39 items across 8 domains. Higher scores = poorer quality of life.
11
Description
General quality of life
Timepoint
Baseline, post-intervention (week 12), and follow-up (week 18)
Method of measurement
EQ-5D questionnaire, covering 5 domains and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).
Intervention groups
1
Description
Intervention group 1 will receive cognitive stimulation based on enjoyable occupations combined with motivational feedback. The protocol consists of 12 sessions over 6 weeks (2 sessions per week, 60 minutes each). Each session includes: (1) identifying and selecting meaningful activities (e.g., cooking, painting, gardening) using COPM; (2) embedding cognitive tasks (memory, attention, executive functions) within the activities; (3) providing verbal and visual motivational feedback during activities to enhance engagement and motivation.
Category
Rehabilitation
2
Description
The control group will receive routine occupational therapy interventions. These include stretching and strengthening exercises, positioning, postural control training, balance exercises, fine motor skill training, and functional exercises when feasible. The intervention will consist of 12 sessions over 6 weeks (2 sessions per week, 60 minutes each).
Category
Rehabilitation
3
Description
Intervention group 2 will receive cognitive stimulation based on enjoyable occupations without motivational feedback. The protocol is identical to group 1, consisting of 12 sessions over 6 weeks (2 sessions per week, 60 minutes each). Activities are selected based on individual preferences and combined with cognitive exercises (memory, attention, executive functions), but no direct motivational feedback (verbal or visual) is provided.
Category
Rehabilitation
Recruitment centers
1
Recruitment center
Name of recruitment center
Movement Disorder centers and rehabilitation clinics
Full name of responsible person
Maryam Mehdizadeh
Street address
Iran University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Hemmat Highway, Tehran
City
Tehran
Province
Tehran
Postal code
1449614535
Phone
+98 912 945 4770
Email
Maryam.mehdizadeh_22@yahoo.com
Sponsors / Funding sources
1
Sponsor
Name of organization / entity
Iran University of Medical Sciences
Full name of responsible person
Vice Chancellor for research of Iran University of Medical Sciences, Dr. Majid Safa
Street address
Iran University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Hemmat Highway, Tehran
City
Tehran
Province
Tehran
Postal code
1449614535
Phone
+98 21 8670 2503
Email
safa@yahoo.com
Grant name
Grant code / Reference number
Is the source of funding the same sponsor organization/entity?
Yes
Title of funding source
Iran University of Medical Sciences
Proportion provided by this source
100
Public or private sector
Public
Domestic or foreign origin
Domestic
Category of foreign source of funding
empty
Country of origin
Type of organization providing the funding
Academic
Person responsible for general inquiries
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Iran University of Medical Sciences
Full name of responsible person
Maryam Mehdizadeh
Position
Assistant Professor
Latest degree
Ph.D.
Other areas of specialty/work
Neuroscience
Street address
Iran University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Hemmat Highway, Tehran
City
Stockholm
Province
Tehran
Postal code
1449614535
Phone
+98 21 8670 6121
Email
Maryam.mehdizadeh_22@yahoo.com
Person responsible for scientific inquiries
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Iran University of Medical Sciences
Full name of responsible person
Maryam Mehdizadeh
Position
Assistant Professor
Latest degree
Ph.D.
Other areas of specialty/work
Neuroscience
Street address
Iran University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Hemmat Highway, Tehran
City
Tehran
Province
Tehran
Postal code
1449614535
Phone
+98 21 8670 6121
Email
Maryam.mehdizadeh_22@yahoo.com
Person responsible for updating data
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Iran University of Medical Sciences
Full name of responsible person
Maryam Mehdizadeh
Position
Assistant Professor
Latest degree
Ph.D.
Other areas of specialty/work
Neuroscience
Street address
Iran University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Hemmat Highway, Tehran
City
Tehran
Province
Tehran
Postal code
1449614535
Phone
+98 21 8670 6121
Email
Maryam.mehdizadeh_22@yahoo.com
Sharing plan
Deidentified Individual Participant Data Set (IPD)
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Study Protocol
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Statistical Analysis Plan
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available
Informed Consent Form
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available
Clinical Study Report
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Analytic Code
Not applicable
Data Dictionary
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available
Title and more details about the data/document
The shared file will include de-identified data from study participants. Specifically, the dataset will contain general demographic information (age, gender), group allocation, and scores related to the primary outcome measures of the study. No personal identifiers such as names, contact details, or national ID numbers will be included. Only this specific part of the data will be available to other researchers upon formal request and after obtaining appropriate approvals. The complete dataset or other sensitive information will not be shared.
When the data will become available and for how long
One year after publishing the results
To whom data/document is available
Researchers working in academic and scientific institutions
Under which criteria data/document could be used
Use of the documentation is permitted upon written permission.
From where data/document is obtainable
Maryam Mehdizadeh
Address: Iran University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Hemmat Highway, Tehran, E-mail: Maryam.mehdizadeh_22@yahoo.com
What processes are involved for a request to access data/document
Just sending a request by email and mentioning the explanation about the cause of the need for documentation is enough.