Personalized neurorehabilitation for improving gait in Parkinson's disease

Precision Sensorimotor Neurorehabilitation Through Personalized Stimulation Loops in a Proof-of-principle Study

Not applicable Interventional University of Zurich · NCT06608875

This study is testing a personalized approach to help people with Parkinson's disease improve their walking and balance using tailored feedback and sounds during sleep.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment40 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Zurich Academic / other
Locations1 site (Zurich, Canton of Zurich)
Trial IDNCT06608875 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study focuses on enhancing gait and postural stability in patients with Parkinson's disease through precision neurorehabilitation. It employs a combination of hyper-personalized feedback and targeted auditory stimulation during sleep to tailor interventions to individual patient needs. The goal is to improve lower limb function and mobility by addressing the variability in treatment responses among patients. This proof-of-concept study aims to establish structured methods for effective rehabilitation.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with idiopathic Parkinson's disease experiencing gait and postural stability deficits.

Not a fit: Patients with cognitive impairments or other neurological conditions that affect gait may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve mobility and quality of life for patients with Parkinson's disease.

How similar studies have performed: While the concept of precision neurorehabilitation is emerging, this specific combination of interventions has not been extensively tested in prior studies.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Idiopathic Parkinson's disease with gait and postural stability deficits
* ≥18 years of age
* United Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) III gait scores 1-3
* UPDRS III postural instability scores 1-3
* Prescribed rehabilitation therapy at cereneo
* Informed consent as documented by signature
* Adjustments in dopaminergic medication and deep brain stimulation (DBS) to improve motor symptoms implemented to the current best possible extent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Cognitive impairment, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCa) \< 20
* Comprehensive aphasia precluding the understanding of study-related information
* Other neurological or medical condition that caused sustained clinically relevant gait and/or postural stability deficits
* Expected acute hospitalization during the training period
* History of a physical or neurological condition that interferes with study procedures
* Social and/or personal circumstances that interfere with the ability to return for therapy sessions and follow-up assessments
* Not capable of voluntary gait adaptation
* Patients taking benzodiazepines or Z-drugs that have a significant effect on sleep EEG
* Recent DBS implant (≤ 6 months)
* Inability to perform outcome assessments without walking aid
* Skin disorders/problems/allergies in face/ear area that could worsen with electrode application (e.g. nickel allergy)

Where this trial is running

Zurich, Canton of Zurich

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 2026-06-13 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.