Improving fall prevention for people with Parkinson's
Identifying Targets for Fall-prevention Rehabilitation in People with Parkinson’s Disease
This project aims to find which balance and stepping skills physical therapy should focus on to help people with Parkinson's fall less.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Arizona State University-Tempe Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Scottsdale, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11178377 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
As a participant, you'll have tests that measure how you stand (sway) and how you take quick recovery steps when balance is lost (reactive stepping). The team will record details such as step size, speed, and timing, and how your sway relates to your base of support. They will also measure brain changes linked to these balance problems using brain imaging or activity tests. Researchers will connect these measurements to past and future falls to identify the best targets for therapy or targeted brain stimulation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults diagnosed with Parkinson's disease who experience balance problems or falls and who can attend in-person clinic testing and perform walking/stepping tasks.
Not a fit: People who cannot stand or walk safely, have severe cognitive impairment that prevents following instructions, or cannot travel to the study site would likely not benefit or be able to participate.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could make physical therapy and neurostimulation approaches better at preventing falls in people with Parkinson's.
How similar studies have performed: Some prior studies show balance training improves stability, but directly tying specific stepping and sway measures to fewer falls in Parkinson's is relatively new and less tested.
Where this research is happening
Scottsdale, United States
- Arizona State University-Tempe Campus — Scottsdale, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Peterson, Daniel Soren — Arizona State University-Tempe Campus
- Study coordinator: Peterson, Daniel Soren
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 below.