Combining VNS With PT Interventions for Individuals With PD

In our study, we will utilize the Movement Disorder Society-Sponsored Revision of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) Part III. This scale, widely used in the clinical and research settings, helps us evaluate the motor symptoms of Parkinson's Disease.

The MDS-UPDRS Part III scale ranges from 0 to 132, with 0 representing no motor symptoms and 132 representing severe motor symptoms. Therefore, a higher score on the MDS-UPDRS Part III scale indicates a worse outcome, reflecting more severe motor symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease.

6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT): We utilize the 6-Minute Walk Test in our study to evaluate the functional exercise capacity of our participants. The 6MWT involves participants walking as far as they can in a span of six minutes on a flat, hard surface. The total distance covered in six minutes is recorded as the score. In this test, a greater distance indicates better physical endurance and mobility. Therefore, in our study, a higher score (greater distance walked) on the 6MWT represents a better outcome, signifying superior functional exercise capacity.

The 10MWT is a timed walking test commonly used in clinical and research settings to assess an individual's gait speed and functional mobility. It measures the time it takes for a person to walk a distance of 10 meters (approximately 33 feet). The scale title, in this case, is the time in seconds required to complete the 10-meter walk. There are no specific minimum and maximum values for this measure since it depends on the individual's walking ability. However, lower scores (i.e., shorter times) generally indicate better outcomes, as they reflect faster gait speed and improved mobility. Conversely, higher scores (longer times) would suggest slower walking speed and potentially poorer functional mobility.

The Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest) is a clinical assessment tool used to evaluate a person's balance and stability. It consists of 14 items that assess different aspects of balance, including anticipatory postural adjustments, reactive postural control, sensory orientation, dynamic gait, and stability during functional tasks. The scale title for the Mini-BESTest is the total score, which ranges from 0 to 28. Higher scores on the Mini-BESTest indicate better balance performance and greater overall stability. A score of 28 represents the best possible outcome, indicating excellent balance abilities across all assessed domains. Conversely, lower scores indicate poorer balance control and increased risk of falls.

The Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) is a clinical measure used to assess an individual's walking ability and functional mobility. It evaluates various aspects of gait, including balance, coordination, range of motion, and adaptability. The FGA consists of 10 different tasks or conditions that challenge the person's walking abilities in different ways, such as walking while turning, walking over obstacles, or walking with eyes closed. The scale title for the FGA is the total score, which ranges from 0 to 30. Higher scores on the FGA indicate better functional gait performance and greater walking independence. A score of 30 represents the best possible outcome, reflecting excellent gait function across all assessed conditions. Conversely, lower scores suggest impaired gait function and reduced functional mobility.

The modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance (mCTSIB) is a diagnostic tool used to evaluate an individual's sensory integration and balance control. It assesses the person's ability to maintain balance under various sensory conditions. The mCTSIB involves four different standing positions, each with different sensory inputs: (1) feet together on a firm surface with eyes open, (2) feet together on a firm surface with eyes closed, (3) feet together on a foam surface with eyes open, and (4) feet together on a foam surface with eyes closed. The results presented in this section reflect the participant's composite mCTSIB score as measured by the BTrack Balance System. Composite scores range from 0 to 400. Higher scores indicate better balance control and greater sensory integration.

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a widely accepted tool in both clinical and research settings, allowing us to evaluate cognitive abilities, specifically focusing on attention and concentration, executive functions, memory, language, visuoconstructional skills, conceptual thinking, calculations, and orientation.

The MoCA scale ranges from 0 to 30, with a score of 30 indicating the highest level of cognitive function. Lower scores on the MoCA suggest a higher level of cognitive impairment. Therefore, in the context of our study, a higher score on the MoCA represents a better outcome, signifying superior cognitive performance.

Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) Color Word Interference Test is used to assess cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control. Condition 1 is basic naming of color patches. All D-KEFS raw scores are converted to scaled scores, with a mean of 10 and a standard deviation of 3, corrected for each of the following 16 age-groups:8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, and 80-89. Higher scores indicate better performance.

Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) Color Word Interference Test is used to assess cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control. Condition 2 is basic reading of color-words printed in black ink. All D-KEFS raw scores are converted to scaled scores, with a mean of 10 and a standard deviation of 3, corrected for each of the following 16 age-groups:8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, and 80-89. Higher scores indicate better performance.

Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) Color Word Interference Test is used to assess cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control. Condition 3 is the traditional Stroop task, for which the examinee must inhibit reading the words in order to name the dissonant ink colors in which those words are printed. All D-KEFS raw scores are converted to scaled scores, with a mean of 10 and a standard deviation of 3, corrected for each of the following 16 age-groups:8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, and 80-89. Higher scores indicate better performance.

For the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) Verbal Fluency Test (letter fluency), the examinee is asked to generate words that begin with a particular letter as quickly as possible in 60 seconds. The test measures the examinee's ability to generate words fluently in an effortful, phonemic format. All D-KEFS raw scores are converted to scaled scores, with a mean of 10 and a standard deviation of 3, corrected for each of the following 16 age-groups:8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, and 80-89. Higher scores indicate better performance.

The Digit Span test is a working memory test in which participants hear a sequence of numerical digits and are tasked to recall the sequence correctly, with increasingly longer sequences being tested in each trial. There are 14 "spans" of numbers, and each span is scored '1' (pass) or '0' (fail). Scores range from 0-14, with higher scores indicating better working memory.

The DSST is a test of psychomotor and cognitive functions, including speed of processing, attention, memory, and manual dexterity. The test requires participants to substitute symbols for numbers based on a key, filling in as many blanks as possible within 90 seconds. Scores range from 0-90, and higher scores indicate better function.

The Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Test is an NIH Toolbox cognitive assessment of inhibitory control and attention. Participants respond to a central stimulus while ignoring flanking stimuli. Raw performance is based on accuracy across congruent and incongruent trials and, for participants with accuracy greater than 80 percent, reaction time is incorporated into the score. Accuracy and reaction time are each converted to a 0-5 subscore using NIH Toolbox scoring algorithms, and these subscores are summed to create a total raw score.

This raw score is then converted to an age-adjusted scale score using nationally representative normative data. In this scoring system, a value of 100 represents the population mean for individuals of the same age, with a standard deviation of 15. Higher age-adjusted scale scores indicate better inhibitory control and attention, whereas lower scores represent poorer performance. Scale scores below approximately 85 (one standard deviation below th

The Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders (Neuro-QoL) system assesses health-related quality of life in individuals with neurological conditions. The Neuro-QoL Ability to Participate in Social Roles and Activities scale evaluates a participant's self-reported ability to perform and engage in day-to-day activities. Scores are reported as T-scores, where 50 represents the population mean and 10 represents one standard deviation.

Higher T-scores on this scale indicate better perceived ability and therefore reflect a more favorable outcome. Lower T-scores represent worse perceived ability. Clinically meaningful thresholds may include T-scores below approximately 40 (one standard deviation below the mean), which may indicate notably reduced ability to participate in daily activities.

The SF-36 is a self-reported questionnaire measuring health-related quality of life. It assesses dimensions like physical functioning, role limitations, pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, and mental health. It provides scores for each dimension and summary scores (PCS and MCS) for overall physical and mental health. Scale titles reflect specific dimensions. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better health-related quality of life. SF-36 offers a comprehensive assessment of perceived health status and well-being.