How hip abductor muscle control relates to balance and walking in aging and Parkinson's disease
Impact of Force Control of Hip Abductor Muscles on Postural Control in Middle-aged and Older Adults and Individuals With Parkinson's Disease
This project will test whether hip abductor muscle strength and steadiness affect balance and walking in healthy adults of different ages and people with Parkinson's disease.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 210 (estimated) |
| Ages | 20 Years to 85 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Taoyuan and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07568951 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is an observational study that measures hip abductor muscle force production and force control (steadiness) in healthy young, middle-aged, and older adults, and in people with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (Hoehn and Yahr stages 1–3). Participants will complete muscle testing along with standardized balance, gait, and postural control measures, and include only those able to walk 10 meters independently and follow instructions. The study will exclude people with other neurologic, significant musculoskeletal, psychiatric, immune, integumentary, or uncontrolled cardiovascular conditions, and those with lower‑limb pain. Data will be analyzed to see whether hip abductor force characteristics are associated with frontal-plane balance and walking performance across age groups and in PD.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 20–85 who can walk 10 meters independently and follow instructions, including people with idiopathic Parkinson's disease at Hoehn and Yahr stages 1–3 on stable medication.
Not a fit: People with other neurologic disorders, uncontrolled cardiovascular disease, significant musculoskeletal problems or lower-limb pain, or those unable to walk 10 m or give informed consent are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could identify hip abductor strength or force-control targets for therapies to improve frontal-plane balance and reduce fall risk in older adults and people with Parkinson's disease.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work has linked ankle and knee muscles to balance and suggested hip abductor weakness relates to lateral stability, but direct observational studies of hip abductor force control and its link to gait and frontal-plane balance remain limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Healthy people Inclusion Criteria: * 20 to 39 years (young), 40 to 59 years (young), and 60-85 years (old) * generally in good health * able to walk 10 m independently * able to follow all instructions Exclusion Criteria: * neurologic, psychiatric, immune, integumentary, and musculoskeletal diseases or disorders which might influence this study * any pain over the lower extremities * uncontrolled cardiovascular diseases * unable to provide informed consent. PD Inclusion Criteria: * clinical diagnosis of idiopathic PD * Hoehn and Yahr stages 1 to 3 * stable anti-PD medications * able to walk 10 m independently * able to follow all instructions Exclusion Criteria: * psychiatric, immune, integumentary, and musculoskeletal diseases or disorders which might influence this study * neurological conditions other than PD * any pain over the lower extremities * uncontrolled cardiovascular diseases * unable to provide informed consent.
Where this trial is running
Taoyuan and 1 other locations
- Chang Gung Memorial Hospital — Taoyuan, Taiwan (Recruiting)
- Chang Gung University — Taoyuan, Taiwan (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Chu-Ling Yen — Chang Gung University
- Study coordinator: Chu-Ling Yen
- Email: clyen@mail.cgu.edu.tw
- Phone: 886-3-2118800
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.