---
title: Optimize brain stimulation improving walking
nct_id: NCT05934747
phase: NA
status: RECRUITING
sponsor: University of Minnesota
study_type: INTERVENTIONAL
canonical_url: "https://parkinsonspathways.com/trial/NCT05934747"
clinicaltrials_gov: "https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05934747"
last_fetched: "2026-05-10T14:05:45.616Z"
source: "Parkinson's Pathways (curated)"
---
# Optimize brain stimulation improving walking

**Goal (in five words):** Optimize brain stimulation improving walking

**Official Title:** Aim 3 Particle Swarm Optimization Postural Instability Gait Disorder

**Trial ID:** [NCT05934747](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05934747)

## Key Facts

- **Phase:** NA
- **Status:** RECRUITING
- **Study Type:** INTERVENTIONAL
- **Sponsor:** University of Minnesota
- **Target Enrollment:** 30 participants
- **Start Date:** 2024-03-19
- **Completion Date:** 2028-06-01
- **Conditions:** Parkinson's Disease and Parkinsonism
- **Interventions:** DBS
- **Intervention Types:** DEVICE

## Summary For Families

The goal is to reduce postural instability and walking problems in Parkinson's, focusing on balance and gait issues that often do not fully respond to medication. The approach uses your existing deep brain stimulation, DBS, leads in the subthalamic nucleus or globus pallidus and a particle swarm optimization computer method that quickly tests and recommends stimulation settings that better modulate the brain circuits controlling gait and posture. Because the trial tweaks electrical stimulation rather than changing drugs, it can be used alongside levodopa; DBS delivers pulses that alter abnormal brain activity to improve movement, and the algorithm aims to find the pulse patterns most helpful for walking and balance. They are enrolling people 18 to 85 with Parkinson's who already have bilateral STN or GP DBS implanted at least three months, can walk off medication and off stimulation for testing, and meet cognitive screening; candidates must also have preoperative 7T MRI and postoperative CT, and people with other causes of gait impairment, broken DBS contacts, near-depleted IPG batteries, or pregnancy/nursing are excluded.

## Eligibility

- **Minimum age:** 18 Years
- **Maximum age:** 85 Years
- **Sex:** ALL

### Full Criteria

```
* Diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease
* Bilateral DBS in STN or GP
* At least 3 months after lead implantation
* Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA):

MoCA=23+

OR: If MoCA score is 23 or less, UBACC will be performed to ensure capacity to consent. If UBACC results are unclear, the MacCAT-CR will be performed. Failed or unclear MacCAT-CR results will exclude the study candidate.

* Between 18-85 years of age
* Has undergone pre-operative 7T MRI (as part of protocol #1210M22183 or standard-of-care) and post-operative CT imaging (standard of care).

8.2 Exclusion Criteria:

* Inability to walk in the off-med, off-stimulation condition (even with safety harness)
* Gait impaired significantly by a condition other than PD
* Breaks or shorts in active contacts
* IPG battery nearing end of life (in patients with primary-cell IPGs)
* Females who are nursing or pregnant
```

## Locations (1)

- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States _(44.9800, -93.2638)_

## Central Contacts

- Johanna Caskey, BA — (CONTACT) — 763-353-9470 — caske039@umn.edu

---

*Canonical: https://parkinsonspathways.com/trial/NCT05934747*  
*HTML version: https://parkinsonspathways.com/trial/NCT05934747*  
*Source data: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05934747*