Improve gait using Percept neurostimulation
- Trial ID
- NCT05820074
- Official Title
- Investigating Neural Biomarkers for Gait in Parkinson's Patients
- Goal
- Improve gait using Percept neurostimulation
- Status
- RECRUITING
- Sponsor
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
- Study Type
- OBSERVATIONAL
- Enrollment
- 60 participants
- Conditions
- Parkinson Disease, Gait Disorders, Neurologic
- Interventions
- Neural Activity Recording, Movement Parameter Recording, Neuromodulation
Summary For Families
They're looking for specific brain signal patterns tied to walking and balance problems in Parkinson's, so future brain stimulation can be timed or targeted better to reduce freezing, falls, and shuffling. The team records brain rhythms from the implanted Percept PC neurostimulator while tracking movement during walking, comparing data with stimulation turned off to identify electrical signatures that could guide how deep brain stimulation is adjusted alongside medications like levodopa. Adults 18 and up with non-tremor dominant idiopathic PD who have postural instability and gait disturbance, who already have a Percept PC and can tolerate being off stimulation, plus healthy controls without neurological or sensory issues, are being enrolled; people with MoCA under 20 or other interfering conditions are excluded.
Locations
- Cereneo, Vitznau, Canton of Lucerne, Switzerland
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is this trial testing?
- This trial is studying Neural Activity Recording. They're looking for specific brain signal patterns tied to walking and balance problems in Parkinson's, so future brain stimulation can be timed or targeted better to reduce freezing, falls, and shuffling. The team records brain rhythms from the implanted Percept PC neurostimulator while tracking movement during walking, comparing data with stimulation turned off to identify electrical signatures that could guide how deep brain stimulation is adjusted alongside medications like levodopa. Adults 18 and up with non-tremor dominant idiopathic PD who have postural instability and gait disturbance, who already have a Percept PC and can tolerate being off stimulation, plus healthy controls without neurological or sensory issues, are being enrolled; people with MoCA under 20 or other interfering conditions are excluded.
- Who can participate?
- Participants must be at least 18 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 1 year and 11 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.