Turning-focused versus strength exercise to reduce freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

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.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

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 it's running

• 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

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.