Improve walking balance with neurofeedback
- Trial ID
- NCT05800470
- Official Title
- The Novel Application of fNIRS-based Neurofeedback to Enhance Effects of Motor Imagery on Balance and Gait Performance in Individuals With Parkinson's Disease
- Goal
- Improve walking balance with neurofeedback
- Phase
- NA
- Status
- RECRUITING
- Sponsor
- National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Enrollment
- 93 participants
- Conditions
- Parkinson Disease, Movement Disorder, Functional
- Interventions
- fNIRS-based neurofeedback with motor imagery, Kinesthetic motor imagery, Motor training
Summary For Families
The trial aims to make motor imagery training more effective for improving balance and walking in people with Parkinson's, so mental practice leads to clearer, safer movement in daily life. Participants do kinesthetic motor imagery while wearing an fNIRS cap that measures blood oxygen changes in motor brain areas and gives real-time feedback, teaching you to activate the right regions more reliably; it is a non-drug, add-on training that works alongside your usual Parkinson's medications. They are looking for people age 40 to 85 with idiopathic Parkinson's, Hoehn and Yahr stage under 4, who can walk independently for about 10 minutes, have no major cognitive impairment (MMSE 24 or higher) and have adequate motor imagery ability, and who do not have brain implants, epilepsy, other serious neurological or psychiatric conditions, or non-PD central nervous system medications. If this sounds interesting, bring it up with your neurologist to see if it might fit your care plan.
Locations
- National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, None Selected, Taiwan
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is this trial testing?
- This trial is studying fNIRS-based neurofeedback with motor imagery. The trial aims to make motor imagery training more effective for improving balance and walking in people with Parkinson's, so mental practice leads to clearer, safer movement in daily life. Participants do kinesthetic motor imagery while wearing an fNIRS cap that measures blood oxygen changes in motor brain areas and gives real-time feedback, teaching you to activate the right regions more reliably; it is a non-drug, add-on training that works alongside your usual Parkinson's medications. They are looking for people age 40 to 85 with idiopathic Parkinson's, Hoehn and Yahr stage under 4, who can walk independently for about 10 minutes, have no major cognitive impairment (MMSE 24 or higher) and have adequate motor imagery ability, and who do not have brain implants, epilepsy, other serious neurological or psychiatric conditions, or non-PD central nervous system medications. If this sounds interesting, bring it up with your neurologist to see if it might fit your care plan.
- Who can participate?
- Participants must be between 40 Years and 85 Years.
- Where is this trial located?
- This trial is recruiting at 1 location.
- Does it cost anything to join?
- No. There is no cost to participate. Study-related care and treatment are provided at no charge.
- How long does the trial last?
- This trial is estimated to last approximately 4 months.
- Will I get the real drug or a placebo?
- It depends on the trial design. Some Parkinson's trials are placebo controlled, meaning a portion of participants get an inactive comparison while others get the experimental treatment. Some use crossover designs so everyone eventually receives the active treatment at some point. Observational trials do not use a placebo at all because they are not testing a new treatment. The consent form for any specific trial spells out the design and your odds of being assigned to placebo before you enroll.
- How often will I need to visit the study site?
- Visit frequency varies by trial. Many Parkinson's studies require an in person visit every 4 to 12 weeks during the active treatment phase, with shorter or longer gaps depending on the design. The site coordinator can give you the full visit schedule before you sign anything, so you know what the time commitment looks like.
- Can I leave the trial if I change my mind?
- Yes. You can withdraw from any clinical trial at any time, for any reason, without affecting your standard medical care. Trials are voluntary by law. The team may ask if you are willing to do a brief exit visit so they can collect safety information, but you are not obligated.
- Will travel or parking be reimbursed?
- Many trials reimburse for parking, mileage, and sometimes lodging if the site is far from your home. Reimbursement policies vary by sponsor and site. When you contact the trial team, ask specifically what is covered and how reimbursement is processed.
- Can my spouse or care partner come with me to visits?
- In most cases yes, and it is often encouraged. Care partners can help with notes, questions, and getting home safely after a long visit. Some study assessments do need to happen one on one, but care partners are usually welcome for the rest of the appointment.