Walking Interventions for Parkinson's Disease
(SFYS2 Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial explores how rhythm-based walking interventions can improve walking in people with Parkinson's disease. Participants will try two methods: walking to music and walking while singing, to determine which enhances walking performance and brain activity more effectively. The study spans 12 weeks, with sessions twice a week. It suits individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's disease who experience walking difficulties and are stable on their medications. As a Phase 2 trial, this research measures the treatment's effectiveness in an initial, smaller group, allowing participants to contribute to early-stage treatment development.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial requires that you have been stable on all Parkinson's disease medications for at least 2 months before joining, so you should not stop taking your current medications.
Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?
Research has shown that both music and singing exercises are well-tolerated by people with Parkinson’s disease. For training that uses music as an external guide, studies have found that walking to music safely and effectively improves walking skills. One study showed that participants with Parkinson's walked to music for 13 weeks and found it safe and manageable.
Similarly, studies suggest that training involving singing is also safe. Singing, as a rhythmic guide, has improved walking speed and stride without causing major side effects. These findings suggest that both music and singing exercises are generally safe and well-tolerated for people with Parkinson's.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial's treatments?
Unlike standard treatments for Parkinson's disease, which often involve medication to manage symptoms like tremors and stiffness, these new walking interventions focus on improving mobility through innovative cueing techniques. Researchers are excited about these methods because they use music and singing as external and self-cueing tools, respectively, to help patients with Parkinson's improve their walking ability. This approach is unique because it leverages the brain's natural response to rhythm and melody, potentially offering a non-drug option to enhance movement and quality of life for those affected by the condition.
What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for Parkinson's disease?
Research has shown that rhythm-based walking exercises can improve walking in people with Parkinson's disease. In this trial, participants will join one of two treatment arms. The "External cueing" arm uses music to guide participants in matching their steps to the beat, resulting in smoother and faster walking. This approach enhances movement and overall quality of life for those with Parkinson's. The "Self cueing" arm involves training participants to use cues, such as singing, which also shows promise. It can stabilize walking and increase speed. Both methods use rhythm to aid in managing movement, which can be challenging for people with Parkinson's.14678
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for people over 30 with typical Parkinson's disease, stages 2-3, showing walking difficulties but stable on medication. They must be right-handed and able to walk independently for 10 minutes. Excluded are those with severe freezing of gait, significant cognitive issues, unstable health conditions, uncontrolled tremor or dyskinesia, other neurological disorders, cardiac problems affecting safety in the trial or orthopedic issues limiting walking.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants perform rhythm-based walking interventions using self-cueing with singing and external cueing with music, one hour sessions twice weekly for 12 weeks
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in brain activity and gait speed after treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- External Cueing Training
- Self Cueing Training
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Washington University School of Medicine
Lead Sponsor
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Collaborator