Neurophysiology of Locomotor Adaptation and Freezing of Gait in Parkinson's Disease

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA · Mar 28, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how people with Parkinson's disease adapt their walking patterns when using a special treadmill that changes speeds on each side. The treadmill will help researchers understand how walking changes when certain brain stimulation devices (called DBS) are turned on and off, and how this affects walking ability in various conditions. Participants will walk in different speed settings to see how well they can adapt to these changes.

To join the study, participants should be between 18 and 80 years old, diagnosed with Parkinson's disease by a specialist, and have been using DBS treatment for at least six months. They should be able to walk independently without any aids. The trial has not started recruiting participants yet, but when it does, those who take part can expect to engage in walking exercises while researchers observe how their walking patterns change. This study aims to provide valuable insights into the challenges of walking in Parkinson's disease and could help improve treatments in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • consensus diagnosis of idiopathic PD by fellowship trained movement disorders neurologists at the Normal Fixel Institute of Neurological Diseases;
• • chronically stable DBS, defined as having had DBS for at least 6 months in duration with optimized DBS settings;
• • Age between 18 - 80 years old per the FDA data sheet for PD DBS;
• • no dementia according to the clinical diagnostic criteria for PD dementia;
• • ambulatory without the use of walking aids, or another person's assistance.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • other previous neurological surgery;
• • suspicion of other neurologic diagnoses such as atypical parkinsonism, or Alzheimer's disease.