Reduce falls by improving balance
- Trial ID
- NCT06508801
- Official Title
- Blood Flow Restriction for Optimizing Balance in Parkinson's Disease
- Goal
- Reduce falls by improving balance
- Phase
- NA
- Status
- RECRUITING
- Sponsor
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Enrollment
- 20 participants
- Conditions
- Parkinson's Disease and Parkinsonism
- Interventions
- Blood flow restriction training, Instability Resistance Training
Summary For Families
The goal is to improve balance and lower fall risk in people with Parkinson's by strengthening the muscles and retraining balance reactions. The approach pairs blood flow restriction training, where a cuff around the upper leg partially limits blood flow during low-load exercises to boost metabolic stress and muscle gains without heavy weights, with instability resistance training that challenges balance on unstable surfaces to improve reactive control. This is an exercise technique to add to, not replace, your usual Parkinson's treatments. The trial is looking for adults 40 to 85 in Hoehn and Yahr stages 2 to 4 with a Mini‑Mental State Exam score of 23 or higher, who do not have serious heart or vascular problems, uncontrolled high blood pressure, recent lower-limb surgery, history of blood clots, very high BMI, or pregnancy.
Locations
- University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is this trial testing?
- This trial is studying Blood flow restriction training. The goal is to improve balance and lower fall risk in people with Parkinson's by strengthening the muscles and retraining balance reactions. The approach pairs blood flow restriction training, where a cuff around the upper leg partially limits blood flow during low-load exercises to boost metabolic stress and muscle gains without heavy weights, with instability resistance training that challenges balance on unstable surfaces to improve reactive control. This is an exercise technique to add to, not replace, your usual Parkinson's treatments. The trial is looking for adults 40 to 85 in Hoehn and Yahr stages 2 to 4 with a Mini‑Mental State Exam score of 23 or higher, who do not have serious heart or vascular problems, uncontrolled high blood pressure, recent lower-limb surgery, history of blood clots, very high BMI, or pregnancy.
- 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 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.