Turning-focused versus strength exercise to reduce freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease
TURN-IT FOG: A Novel Intervention to Improve Turning in People With PD and Freezing of Gait
This study tests whether a turning-focused agility program or a strength-based exercise program helps people with Parkinson's who have freezing of gait reduce freezing episodes and improve everyday mobility.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 50 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Oregon Health and Science University Academic / other |
| Locations | 3 sites (Tempe, Arizona and 2 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06815302 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Participants with Parkinson's and freezing of gait are randomly assigned to one of two supervised rehabilitation programs—turning-focused agility training or strength-based exercise—delivered one-on-one three times per week for six weeks. Researchers collect lab-based measurements before and after the intervention and use wearable mobility sensors to record walking and balance during daily life. Outcomes include patient- and clinician-rated measures of freezing, sensor-derived mobility metrics, and functional mobility in daily activities. The goal is to determine whether either approach meaningfully reduces freezing and improves mobility enough to justify a larger clinical trial.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people aged 50–80 with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (Hoehn & Yahr II–IV) who report freezing of gait, have sufficient cognitive ability for testing, and can attend moderate-intensity exercise sessions three times weekly.
Not a fit: Patients with major musculoskeletal, structural neurological disease, severe cognitive impairment (MoCA ≤21), vestibular or other non‑Parkinsonian causes of gait problems, or medical contraindications to moderate exercise are unlikely to benefit from these interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could reduce freezing episodes and improve day-to-day walking and balance through targeted exercise.
How similar studies have performed: Previous smaller rehabilitation and cueing studies have shown mixed but generally promising results for targeted exercise to reduce freezing, and this trial builds on that modest prior evidence.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * diagnosis of idiopathic PD from movement disorders neurologist with the United Kingdom Brain Bank criteria of bradykinesia with one or more of the following - rest tremor, rigidity, and balance problems not from visual, vestibular, cerebellar or proprioceptive conditions * reporting FOG in the New Freezing of Gait questionnaire (N-FOGQ) * Hoehn \& Yahr stages II-IV * ages 50-80 years old * cognitive ability sufficient to participate in testing procedures and exercise classes * be willing and able to participate in exercise intervention 3x/week for 6 weeks Exclusion Criteria: * Major musculoskeletal or neurological disorders, structural brain disease, epilepsy, acute illness or health history, other than PD, significantly affecting gait and turning (i.e., musculoskeletal disorder, vestibular problem, head injury, stroke, cardiac disease) * medical condition or medications that precludes moderate-intensity exercise * Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) ≤21 or inability to follow directions * excessive use of alcohol or recreational drugs * recent change in medication * inability to stand and walk for 2 minutes without an assistive device
Where this trial is running
Tempe, Arizona and 2 other locations
- Arizona State University — Tempe, Arizona, United States (Recruiting)
- Oregon Health and Science University — Portland, Oregon, United States (Recruiting)
- University of São Paulo, Bauru Campus — Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Martina Mancini, PhD — Oregon Health and Science University
- Study coordinator: Graham R Harker, MPH
- Email: harkerg@ohsu.edu
- Phone: (503) 418-2601
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.