Retraining Gait in Parkinson's Disease Via a Personalised App

Starting soon · Not applicable

Conditions studied: PARKINSON DISEASE (Disorder)

In brief

Introduction Parkinson's disease (PD) limits mobility by worsening gait/walking and increasing fall risk. Falls lead to injuries and reduce confidence in performing everyday tasks. That lowers a person's ability to participate in community activities such as going to the shops or visiting friends, which reduces their quality of life. Development of interventions for gait impairments and falls is a research priority for Parkinson's UK. Understanding gait Traditionally, one approach a physiotherapist may use to try and improve/retrain a person's gait is with an electronic metronome which is a device that "beeps" nearly every second. The physiotherapist sets the metronome beeping, and the person tries to step to each beep. However, success depends on the physio's expertise/experience. Regardless, beeping sounds are described as boring. Smartphone app An app may be the solution. Smartphones have many sensors, meaning they can accurately measure gait but also deliver retraining via music. That is possible by the creation of an "app" that can be downloaded and installed on anyone's smartphone. Research proposal The investigators have developed and validated an app (CuePD) that uses music for gait retraining, to make it more enjoyable by having people listen to their preferred music. The aim for this study is to get people with PD (PwPD) using CuePD in their home and when out walking for 12-weeks to determine: (i) how PwPD use and value CuePD and (ii) CuePD's ability to improve gait to reduce fall risk.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07584993

Run by

Northumbria University

People needed

40

Starts

2026-08-01

Expected to finish

2027-12-31

Last updated by the study team

2026-05-13

Who can join

Age: 50 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Able to walk unaided.
• Diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's.
• Score ≥21/30 on Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) which is used to classify non-demented Parkinson's (Parkinson's dementia is <21/30).
• Uses a smartphone.

You may not qualify if…

• Non-English speakers
• Use of any mobility aids e.g., walking stick
• History of stroke, traumatic brain injury or other neurological disorders (other than Parkinson's)
• Unable to comply with the testing protocol or currently participating in another interfering research project.
• Does not use a smartphone.
• Body mass index ≥35 (i.e., severe to morbid obesity)

Where it is running

• Northumbria University — Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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