Remote Mental Practice for Freezing of Gait in Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF SAO PAULO GENERAL HOSPITAL · Apr 25, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new way to help people with Parkinson's disease who experience freezing of gait (FOG), which is when they suddenly find it hard to move. The researchers want to see if a combination of mental practice and physical practice can improve FOG symptoms. The study will include 50 participants who will be randomly divided into two groups: one will do exercises that include mental imagery (thinking about movements) along with physical practice, while the other group will only do physical exercises and stretching. Over six weeks, participants will have 10 video sessions to guide them through their activities. The main goal is to see if the mental practice can really help reduce FOG and improve overall movement and thinking abilities.

To join the study, participants need to have a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, be taking medication for it, and experience freezing of gait. They should be able to walk independently at home and have access to the internet and video calling devices. However, those with other serious health issues, significant vision or hearing problems, or cognitive difficulties will not be eligible. Participants can expect to engage in guided exercises and will complete questionnaires to track their progress. This trial is currently recruiting and aims to find new ways to support individuals with Parkinson's disease in managing their symptoms.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Clinical diagnosis of idiopathic PD;
• • Use of dopaminergic medication;
• • Experiencing FOG (positive response to the first question of the New Freezing of Gait Questionnaire - NFOG-Q);
• • Able to walk independently at home;
• • Access to internet and video call device;
• • Agree to participate in the study.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Other neurological disorders;
• • Severe cardiovascular and/or respiratory alterations;
• • Uncorrected visual and/or auditory alterations;
• • Cognitive impairment, detectable through the Telephone Montreal Cognitive Assessment (T-MoCA, \< 12);
• • Inability to perform motor imageryT during the administration of the Kinesthetic and Visual Imagery Questionnaire - 20 (KVIQ-20, \< 20)