Mobile app-guided gait training for Parkinson's disease
Official title: Development and Investigation of the Effectiveness of an External Stimulus-Supported Gait Training Mobile Application for Patients With Parkinson's Disease
Run by Ege University · NCT07687979 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A mobile app will test whether audio cues plus gentle vibrations can help people with Parkinson's walk more easily and stay balanced during a 6-week gait program.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 60 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 52 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Ege University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Izmir, İzmir) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | April 7, 2026 |
| Main results expected | August 2026 |
| Study ends | September 2026 |
| Registry record updated | July 7, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07687979 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults with idiopathic Parkinson's disease, Hoehn and Yahr stages 1–3, able to walk 10 meters, on their usual medication, fluent in Turkish, and comfortable using smartphone technology.
✕Probably not a fit
Individuals with significant cognitive impairment, hearing loss, deep brain stimulation, recent knee surgery, or other conditions limiting participation may not benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This randomized, single-center study compares a mobile application that delivers patient-specific metronome sounds and tactile vibrations to standard gait training in people with Parkinson's disease. Participants will perform 30 minutes of gait training, three times per week for six weeks, with assessments before and after. Outcomes include functional mobility, balance, strength, trunk control, fall-related anxiety, and spatiotemporal walking parameters measured by a gait-analysis app. The study uses validated tests such as TUG, dual-task TUG, 5xSST, TIS, FES-I, and FOGQ to evaluate changes related to gait and freezing episodes. Safety monitoring and standardized procedures will ensure consistent data collection across participants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the app could help people with Parkinson's improve walking rhythm and reduce freezing episodes during daily activities.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies using external auditory cues or vibrotactile feedback have shown walking improvements in Parkinson's, but this specific mobile-format, dual-stimulus approach in a randomized design is novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinson's disease by a neurologist based on clinical and radiological findings. Disease severity between stages 1 to 3 according to the Modified Hoehn and Yahr Scale. Able to walk at least 10 meters independently or with an assistive device. Being in the "ON" period of Parkinson's medication. Ability to use technological devices such as smartphones (scoring 35 or higher on the Digital Competence Inventory for Older Adults). Fluent in reading, understanding, and speaking Turkish. Voluntarily participating in the study. Exclusion Criteria: Having neurological disorders other than Parkinson's disease that could affect mobility. History of knee joint surgery or traumatic injury affecting the knee joint. History of any surgery within the last 6 months. Presence of a deep brain stimulator. Hearing impairment. Cognitive impairment or inability to understand and follow the study procedures. Other physical or systemic conditions that could affect walking assessments (e.g., amputation, severe diabetes mellitus, alcohol addiction).
Where it's running
-
Ege University
Izmir, İzmir, Turkey (Türkiye) Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Mehmet Özkeskin, Associate Professor
- Email: mehmet.ozkeskin76@gmail.com
- Phone: +905056631833
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Temporal interference stimulation in Parkinson's disease: STN vs GPi targets
This study tests whether stimulating the subthalamic nucleus or the globus pallidus internus with temporal interference stimulation improves motor symptoms in people with Parkinson's disease.
-
Squatting vs. lithotomy in the second stage of labor
We’re testing whether squatting in the second stage of labor helps improve birth outcomes for first-time mothers.
-
AI-powered mobile app to help breast cancer patients manage chemotherapy symptoms
A mobile app with artificial intelligence is being tested to see if it helps women with breast cancer manage chemotherapy symptoms and feel more confident in their care.
-
Which CVC dressing securement helps prevent MARSI best
This study tests three dressing strategies (acrylic tape, silicone tape, and barrier film with acrylic tape) to see which best prevents MARSI in adults with central venous catheters.
-
Head-down position and abdominal gas effects on optic nerve sheath size during robotic prostate removal
This will see if the steep head-down position and abdominal gas used during robot-assisted prostate removal increase the optic nerve sheath diameter in men having prostatectomy.
-
How blood sugar control affects brain oxygen levels and recovery during urologic surgery
This will see if long-term blood sugar control affects brain oxygen levels during anesthesia and recovery afterward in adults having elective urologic operations, including people with and without diabetes.
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.