How people with Parkinson's use vision to guide movement.
Official title: Unraveling Visuomotor Control in Parkinson Disease With and Without Freezing of Gait
Run by National Taiwan University Hospital · NCT06918938 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will test whether people with Parkinson's disease who do and do not experience freezing of gait, and healthy older adults, differ in using visual cues to guide movements and in related brain signals.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 63 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | National Taiwan University Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Taipei, Zhongzheng Dist.) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 19, 2025 |
| Main results expected | July 31, 2027 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | September 17, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06918938 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults with Parkinson's disease (with or without freezing of gait) who can follow instructions and have normal or corrected vision, as well as age-matched healthy volunteers.
✕Probably not a fit
People with other neurological or diagnosed psychological disorders, a history of seizures or epilepsy in the family, implanted devices like deep brain stimulators or pacemakers, unstable medical conditions, recent severe upper-limb injuries or tremor, or who are pregnant are excluded and unlikely to benefit from participation.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This observational study will compare behavioral performance on computer-based visuomotor tasks and neurophysiological measures across three groups: people with Parkinson's disease who experience freezing of gait, people with Parkinson's who do not, and age-matched healthy controls. A total of 63 participants (21 per group) will complete visuomotor tasks that require normal or corrected-to-normal vision. Researchers will record neural measures, including techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation, to probe motor system function associated with task performance. Group differences in behavior and brain responses will be analyzed to identify patterns linked to freezing and other motor impairments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could point to specific visual or neural targets for rehabilitation strategies to help reduce freezing and improve everyday movements in people with Parkinson's.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown visual perception deficits in Parkinson's disease and in those with freezing of gait, but relatively few studies have combined behavioral visuomotor testing with neurophysiological tools like TMS, making this approach somewhat novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * age above 18 * able to follow the researchers' instructions * normal or correct-to-normal vision to view a computer screen Exclusion Criteria: * neurological disorders other than PD * diagnosed psychological disorders or a tendency of anxiety and/or depression * a self-history of seizure or a family history of epilepsy * deep brain stimulation or pacemaker implanted * unstable cardiovascular diseases or other uncontrolled medical conditions * pregnant * surgical history, severe injury, or severe tremor of their upper extremities that can affect their movements in the past 6 months
Where it's running
-
School and Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy
Taipei, Zhongzheng Dist., Taiwan Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy — National Taiwan University
- Study coordinator: Ya-Yun Lee, PhD
- Email: yayunlee@ntu.edu.tw
- Phone: +886-2-33668155
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
One-day exercise test to see how brain and body react in epilepsy, cognitive disorders, Parkinson's, dementia, and related conditions
A one-day study tests how an acute bout of exercise changes brain function and bodily signals in people with certain neurological conditions compared with healthy individuals.
-
Tributyrin for PSP: a virtual, early-phase study
This study tests whether tributyrin is safe and tolerable in people with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy who are 45 or older, using virtual visits.
-
A look at why Lewy body conditions cause visual hallucinations
This study tests brain‑imaging in people with Lewy body diseases who do or don’t experience visual hallucinations, and in healthy volunteers, to see how brain networks might create these images.
-
How physical activity might help people with Parkinson’s disease who have DBS-STN implants
This study tests whether adding regular physical activity can help people with Parkinson’s who have DBS-STN stimulation by trying a structured physiotherapy approach alongside standard care.
-
Can hippotherapy improve mobility, gait, balance, and quality of life in people with Parkinson's disease?
This pilot trial tests whether adding horse-assisted therapy to standard rehab helps mobility, gait, balance, and perceived health in adults with Parkinson's disease.
-
Gut methane and Parkinson's: measuring if a probiotic helps people with Parkinson's, REM sleep behavior disorder, or cognitive concerns
This study tests whether a probiotic containing Limosilactobacillus reuteri can help people with Parkinson's disease, those at high risk for PD, and related cognitive issues by potentially improving gut methane levels and overall symptoms.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.