NGAGE, A Neurological Guidance, Assessment, Goals and Engagement System for People with Parkinsons and other Degenerative Neurological Diseases.

This project demonstrates the technical merit, feasibility, and cost-effectiveness of a Neurological Guidance, Assessment, Goals and Engagement (NGAGE) system for people with Parkinson’s and other degenerative neurological diseases. People with Parkinson’s disease and other similar degenerative neurological diseases may be able maintain their levels of function with proper ongoing exercise programs geared towards their individualized needs. The NGAGE system supports individuals with Parkinson’s to increase their engagement in the maintenance of their disease. The built-in natural support mechanisms promote independence, enhance self-esteem, and create opportunities for self-direction using a respectful, non-invasive approach. This project combines commercially available components, cloud computing, open source utilities, and an innovative approach to create the NGAGE system. The result is a standardized, cost-effective option to improve assessments, and provide meaningful feedback to increase the engagement and participation with users. Specific Phase I objectives include: (1) determine end user requirements, (2) develop a proof-of-concept prototype of the system, and (3) evaluate of the utility of the prototype with actual individuals and the clinicians who support them, while performing voice and physical exercises under varying cognitive loads, using protocols developed by Triad Exercise Technologies.