Dynamic standing desk for people with Parkinson's

A Pilot Study of In-lab Dynamic Standing in Parkinson's Disease

Phase 1 Interventional University of Michigan · NCT07543861

This pilot will try a dynamic standing desk in people with Parkinson's to see if it improves walking compared with static standing or sitting.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 1
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment5 (estimated)
Ages50 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Michigan Academic / other
Locations1 site (Ann Arbor, Michigan)
Trial IDNCT07543861 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This Phase 1 open-label pilot asks participants with Parkinson's to attend up to twelve 4-hour in-lab sessions using a dynamic standing desk, with baseline and outcome clinical assessments for a total of up to 14 visits completed within six weeks. The protocol compares user experience and gait-related measures after dynamic standing versus static standing and control sitting. Clinical gait measurements and participant-reported feedback will be collected at baseline and at the endpoint session. Results will inform the design of a subsequent randomized controlled pilot in Phase 2.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults diagnosed with Parkinson's who can stand and walk without an assistive device, have no significant cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurologic, rheumatologic, or psychiatric conditions that preclude safe participation, and can attend frequent in-person sessions.

Not a fit: Patients who cannot stand or walk without assistance, have orthostatic symptoms, severe musculoskeletal pain, dementia, active cardiovascular or pulmonary disease, or other exclusionary medical issues are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, dynamic standing could improve gait function and mobility for people with Parkinson's, potentially reducing fall risk and improving daily function.

How similar studies have performed: This application of a dynamic standing desk for gait in Parkinson's is relatively novel with limited prior data, so evidence of success is preliminary and largely untested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease

Exclusion Criteria:

* Inability to stand or walk without an assistive device
* History of symptoms in stance that preclude safe and comfortable participation, such as dizziness and lightheadedness, orthostasis, severe symptomatic leg or back musculoskeletal pain, or medication side effects
* Any other history of medical or psychiatric comorbidity, precluding safe participation in the project.
* History of symptomatic cardiovascular or pulmonary disease
* History of active rheumatic arthritis
* History of stroke or other neurologic conditions with significant residual sensorimotor deficits
* History of disabling chronic pain syndrome requiring narcotic analgesics
* Evidence of dementia (Mini Mental State Exam (or Montreal Cognitive Assessment test) \<24 and significant impairment in activities of daily living)
* Venous ulcerative stasis or severe varicosities.
* Pregnancy as determined by urine pregnancy test prior to DXA procedure in women of childbearing potential.

Where this trial is running

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Parkinson Disease
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.