Personalized sleep-based sound stimulation to improve walking in Parkinson's
Personalized Stimulation Loop for Neurorehabilitation in Parkinson: a Proof-of-principle Study
This project will test whether playing personalized rehabilitation-related sounds during sleep can help people with Parkinson's who have gait and balance problems get more benefit from their rehabilitation.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Zurich Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Zurich, Canton of Zurich) |
| Trial ID | NCT07082595 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This proof-of-concept interventional study uses targeted auditory stimulation during sleep (TASS) tailored to each participant to reactivate rehabilitation-related memories and strengthen motor consolidation. People with idiopathic Parkinson's disease who have gait and postural stability deficits and are prescribed rehabilitation therapy will receive either verum or sham TASS alongside their rehabilitation. The timing and content of auditory cues will be personalized to individual sleep patterns and effects on gait and balance will be measured with clinical scales and objective gait assessments. The study is conducted at the University of Zurich and aims to develop structured, reproducible methods for precision neurorehabilitation of gait in PD.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with idiopathic Parkinson's who have mild-to-moderate gait and postural instability, a MoCA score ≥20, are prescribed rehabilitation therapy, and can attend in-person visits in Zurich.
Not a fit: Patients with significant cognitive impairment (MoCA <20), recent DBS implants (≤6 months), use of benzodiazepines or Z-drugs that markedly affect sleep EEG, non-Parkinsonian causes of gait problems, inability to walk without an aid, or skin issues near the ear are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could increase the lasting gains from physical rehabilitation for gait and balance in Parkinson's, improving mobility and independence.
How similar studies have performed: Related targeted memory reactivation and sleep-based auditory stimulation studies in healthy adults and some rehabilitation contexts have shown promise for improving motor learning, but applying personalized TASS to Parkinson's gait is novel and largely untested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Idiopathic Parkinson's disease with gait and postural stability deficits * ≥18 years of age * UPDRS III gait scores 1-3 * UPDRS III postural instability scores 1-3 * Prescribed rehabilitation therapy * Informed consent as documented by signature * Adjustments in dopaminergic medication and DBS stimulation to improve Exclusion Criteria: * Cognitive impairment, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCa) \< 20 * Other neurological or medical condition that caused sustained clinically relevant gait and/or postural stability deficits * 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 assessments * 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
- University of Zurich — Zurich, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Christian Baumann, Prof. Dr. med.
- Email: christian.baumann@usz.ch
- Phone: +41 44 255 00 02
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.