Understanding balance problems in Parkinson's disease
Official title: Kinematic and neural dynamics of postural instability in Parkinson’s disease
Funded at Minneapolis VA Medical Center · NIH-11000131 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how balance problems affect people with Parkinson's disease by using wearable sensors to track their stability in everyday situations, with the hope of finding better ways to help them stay safe and improve their quality of life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Minneapolis VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | November 1, 2024 |
| Project end | October 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 1I01RX004810-01A2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11000131 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's disease who experience postural instability and related balance difficulties.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with Parkinson's disease who do not experience significant balance issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how postural instability affects individuals with Parkinson's disease by using wearable sensors to monitor their balance in real-world settings. It aims to identify different types of postural instability and how they relate to patients' daily experiences. By analyzing data collected from these sensors, the research seeks to improve our understanding of balance issues and develop better treatment strategies. The goal is to provide insights that could lead to more effective interventions for managing falls and improving quality of life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for balance issues in Parkinson's disease, potentially reducing falls and enhancing patients' quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using wearable sensors to monitor balance and movement in various populations, indicating that this approach may yield valuable insights for Parkinson's disease as well.
Where this research is happening
-
Minneapolis VA Medical Center
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcgovern, Robert a — Minneapolis VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Mcgovern, Robert a
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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.