Stimulation of the vagus nerve to help gait in Veterans with Parkinson’s disease
Official title: Stimulating the vagus nerve to improve gait in Veterans with Parkinson's disease
Funded at Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital · NIH-11319019 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hines, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I21RX005133-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11319019 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are Veterans with Parkinson’s disease experiencing gait disturbances who can use a handheld ncVNS device at home.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced PD where gait is not a major concern or who cannot safely use a neck stimulation device may receive limited or no benefit.
What this research studies
This project explores a non-drug, at-home therapy that uses a simple neck device to stimulate the vagus nerve with the goal of improving gait and reducing falls in Veterans with Parkinson’s disease. It focuses on a practical, safe approach that patients can self-administer daily, potentially fitting into their existing routines and caregiver support. The study builds on prior use of non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation for other conditions and applies it to gait problems in PD within a VA setting.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could improve mobility and reduce fall risk for Veterans with PD, supporting independent living and caregiver peace of mind.
How similar studies have gone: Previous non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation work shows promise in related areas, but applying it specifically to PD gait is new and exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital
Hines, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kletzel, Sandra Lynn — Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital
- Study coordinator: Kletzel, Sandra Lynn
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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Feasibility of an AI-Driven Gait Freeze Detector to Trigger Pauses and Cues in Parkinson’s
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.
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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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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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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.