Improving walking ability for people with Parkinson's disease
Targeted Motor Learning to Improve Gait for Individuals with Parkinson's Disease
This study is looking at how using rhythmic sounds can help people with Parkinson's disease walk better by teaching them new walking patterns in a fun and effective way.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10834271 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing walking function in individuals with Parkinson's disease by addressing the challenges of motor learning. It employs rhythmic auditory cues to help patients recalibrate their walking patterns, which can be hindered by the disease. The approach combines explicit learning strategies with implicit learning mechanisms to improve long-term retention of walking skills. By introducing a subtle error in the tempo of cues, the study aims to promote better adaptation and learning in patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and experience gait disturbances.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have Parkinson's disease or those with severe cognitive impairments may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved walking abilities and greater independence for individuals with Parkinson's disease.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that rhythmic auditory cueing can be effective in improving gait in Parkinson's patients, but this approach aims to enhance those results through novel learning mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lewek, Michael D — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Lewek, Michael D
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.