---
title: Cycling slows Parkinson disease progression
nct_id: NCT06442033
phase: NA
status: RECRUITING
sponsor: Jay Alberts
study_type: INTERVENTIONAL
canonical_url: "https://parkinsonspathways.com/trial/NCT06442033"
clinicaltrials_gov: "https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06442033"
last_fetched: "2026-05-10T14:08:45.716Z"
source: "Parkinson's Pathways (curated)"
---
# Cycling slows Parkinson disease progression

**Goal (in five words):** Cycling slows Parkinson disease progression

**Official Title:** Genetics and Aerobic Exercise to Slow Parkinson's Disease (GEARS) Trial

**Trial ID:** [NCT06442033](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06442033)

## Key Facts

- **Phase:** NA
- **Status:** RECRUITING
- **Study Type:** INTERVENTIONAL
- **Sponsor:** Jay Alberts
- **Target Enrollment:** 200 participants
- **Start Date:** 2024-08-23
- **Completion Date:** 2028-12-31
- **Conditions:** Parkinson Disease
- **Interventions:** High intensity stationary cycling
- **Intervention Types:** OTHER

## Summary For Families

GEARS is testing whether high-intensity aerobic exercise, analyzed alongside participants' genetic information, can slow Parkinson's progression and improve motor function. The plan uses supervised high-intensity stationary cycling to raise heart rate and boost brain-protective growth factors like BDNF, which may strengthen motor circuits and slow neurodegeneration; exercise is used alongside, not instead of, usual medicines and participants stay on a stable anti-parkinsonian regimen. The trial is looking for adults 18 and older with Parkinson's at Hoehn and Yahr stages 1 to 3 who can safely mount a stationary bike, have reliable transportation and a smartphone for activity tracking, and are on stable medication. People with dementia, implanted DBS or focused ultrasound, certain heart or musculoskeletal problems, other neurological diseases, or current participation in another disease-modifying PD trial are not eligible, and anyone flagged by the ACSM screen must get medical clearance first.

## Eligibility

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

### Full Criteria

```
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Adult with a diagnosis of PD by a physician or physician extender
2. Hoehn and Yahr stage I-III
3. Demonstrate the ability to safely mount and dismount a stationary cycle
4. Reliable transportation to the community exercise facility
5. Smartphone device for activity data monitoring
6. On a stable dose of anti-parkinsonian medication

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Participation in disease modifying PD-related clinical trial or study
2. Diagnosis of dementia or any neurocognitive impairment that compromises one's ability to provide informed consent.
3. Implanted deep brain stimulation electrodes or focused ultrasound for PD management
4. Recommendation for medical clearance using the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Preparticipation Health Screen a. If the ACSM screen recommends medical clearance, the participant must obtain medical clearance by their health care provider prior to participation.

b. Those who choose not to obtain physician clearance will not be eligible for participation.

e) A musculoskeletal issue (arthritis, osteoporosis, back problem) that would limit one's ability to engage in a cycling intervention f) Neurological disease other than Parkinson's disease (i.e. multiple sclerosis, stroke) g) Current cardiac arrhythmia
```

## Locations (1)

- The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States _(41.4995, -81.6954)_
  - Elizabeth Jansen, MPH — (CONTACT) — 2167809160 — jansena@ccf.org
  - Anson Rosenfeldt, DPT — (CONTACT) — 216-644-7617 — rosenfa2@ccf.org

## Central Contacts

- Elizabeth Jansen, MPH — (CONTACT) — 216-780-9160 — jansena@ccf.org
- Anson Rosenfeldt, DPT — (CONTACT) — 216-644-7617 — rosenfa2@ccf.org

---

*Canonical: https://parkinsonspathways.com/trial/NCT06442033*  
*HTML version: https://parkinsonspathways.com/trial/NCT06442033*  
*Source data: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06442033*