Feasibility of an AI-Driven Gait Freeze Detector to Trigger Pauses and Cues in Parkinson’s
Official title: Feasibility of a Novel Freezing of Gait Detection Framework for Adaptive Cueing in Parkinson's Disease
Funded at Case Western Reserve University · NIH-11354931 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small study tests an AI system that detects when a person with Parkinson’s is about to freeze and gives a cue only at that moment to help them keep walking.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Case Western Reserve University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | August 18, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $218,869 |
| NIH project number | 1R21EB039456-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11354931 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21 and older with Parkinson’s disease who experience freezing of gait.
✕Less likely to help
Those without Parkinson’s or without FoG symptoms are unlikely to benefit.
What this research studies
If you have Parkinson’s and struggle with freezing of gait, this study explores a smart, wearable system that uses sensors and eye-tracking to detect FoG and provide timely cues. Researchers will train a model with high-quality sensor data and synthetic samples to improve accuracy in real-world settings. They will also examine how eye-related signals (gaze, blinks, pupil size) can boost detection and reduce false alarms when someone momentarily stops to adjust their step. The project is exploratory and aims to show whether this approach is feasible before larger trials.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the system could help people with Parkinson’s stay mobile and reduce fall risk by delivering cues exactly when they are needed.
How similar studies have gone: Previous FoG detectors exist but often struggle with accuracy and real-world use; this study tests a potentially more robust approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pulliam, Christopher Lee — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Pulliam, Christopher Lee
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Personalized closed-loop treatment for freezing of gait in Parkinson’s disease
A new implantable brain device trial aims to reduce freezing of gait in people with Parkinson’s by using on-device brain signals to guide stimulation in real time.
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Understanding movement transitions in Parkinson's disease and how cues help freezing of gait
A study with people who have Parkinson's disease will explore why freezing of gait happens during movement changes and how external cues might help keep steps going.
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Why walking starts and turns can trigger freezing in Parkinson's
This project looks at brain and balance signals in people with Parkinson's who freeze when they start walking or turn, and how external cues can help.
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Stimulation of the vagus nerve to help gait in Veterans with Parkinson’s disease
A non-invasive, home-based treatment using a handheld device to stimulate the vagus nerve may improve walking and balance for Veterans living with Parkinson’s disease.
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How Parkinson's affects walking and brain signals
This project looks at how Parkinson's and levodopa change brain activity during walking and whether cueing helps people walk more automatically.
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Improving walking in Veterans with Parkinson's disease using vagus nerve stimulation
This study is looking at how a simple, handheld device that gently stimulates a nerve in the neck can help Veterans with Parkinson's disease improve their walking and balance, making it easier for them to manage their daily lives at home.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.