---
title: Reduce freezing episodes during walking
nct_id: NCT06602544
phase: NA
status: RECRUITING
sponsor: Harvard Medical School (HMS and HSDM)
study_type: INTERVENTIONAL
canonical_url: "https://parkinsonspathways.com/trial/NCT06602544"
clinicaltrials_gov: "https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06602544"
last_fetched: "2026-05-10T14:06:29.116Z"
source: "Parkinson's Pathways (curated)"
---
# Reduce freezing episodes during walking

**Goal (in five words):** Reduce freezing episodes during walking

**Official Title:** Preventing Freezing of Gait in Parkinson's Disease Using Soft Robotic Apparel

**Trial ID:** [NCT06602544](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06602544)

## Key Facts

- **Phase:** NA
- **Status:** RECRUITING
- **Study Type:** INTERVENTIONAL
- **Sponsor:** Harvard Medical School (HMS and HSDM)
- **Target Enrollment:** 20 participants
- **Start Date:** 2024-09-03
- **Completion Date:** 2027-09
- **Conditions:** Parkinson Disease (PD)
- **Interventions:** Robotic Apparel
- **Intervention Types:** DEVICE

## Summary For Families

The goal is to prevent or reduce freezing of gait, those sudden stops that make walking feel like your feet are glued to the floor. The approach uses wearable soft robotic apparel that gives gentle, timed mechanical cues and light assistance to the hips and legs to help restart steps and keep a steady walking rhythm, it is a non-drug device meant to be used alongside your usual Parkinson medications rather than replacing them. The trial is looking for adults 18 to 90 who report freezing of gait, can walk independently for at least 20 meters, score 21 or higher on the MoCA, and can attend eight study visits, with exclusions for very frequent recent falls, recent major surgery, or other serious health problems.

## Eligibility

- **Minimum age:** 18 Years
- **Maximum age:** 90 Years
- **Sex:** ALL

### Full Criteria

```
Inclusion Criteria:

* 18-90 years old
* Self-reported Freezing of Gait due to PD
* Score of 21 or higher on the cognitive screening test (Montreal Cognitive Assessment Score (MoCA))
* Independent ambulation (with or without an assistive device, no physical assistance) for at least 20 meters
* Able to understand, communicate, and be understood by study staff
* Provide HIPAA Authorization to allow communication with the participant's treating physician/provider for medical clearance (if deemed necessary by study clinical team) to verify self-reported medical history (if deemed necessary by study clinical team)
* Provide informed consent
* Ability to participate in 8 research study visits

Exclusion Criteria:

* More than 2 falls in the previous month, as a result of gait impairment (may enroll under clinician discretion)
* Major surgery in the last 6 months that interferes with walking (may enroll under clinician discretion)
* Gait deficits due to missing limbs
* Experience chronic pain that interferes with walking ability (may enroll under clinician discretion)
* Serious co-morbidities (unrelated to gait impairment) that may interfere with ability to participate in research (e.g. cardiovascular, neurological, skin, and vascular conditions such as acute, ongoing/unmanaged deep vein thrombosis)
* No observable freezing-of-gait
```

## Locations (2)

- Harvard Science and Engineering Complex, Allston, Massachusetts, United States _(42.3584, -71.1259)_
  - Conor J Walsh, PhD — (CONTACT) — 617-496-4269 — walsh@seas.harvard.edu
  - Christina Lee, PhD — (CONTACT) — 617-353-7525 — christina_lee@g.harvard.edu
  - Conor J Walsh, PhD — (PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR)
- Boston University Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts, United States _(42.3584, -71.0598)_
  - Terry Ellis, PhD, PT, FAPTA — (CONTACT) — 617-353-7525 — tellis@bu.edu
  - Franchino Porciuncula, EdD, PT, DScPT — (CONTACT) — 617-353-7525 — fporciun@bu.edu
  - Terry Ellis, PhD, PT, FAPTA — (PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR)

## Central Contacts

- Franchino Porciuncula, EdD, PT, DScPT — (CONTACT) — 617-353-7525 — fporciun@bu.edu
- Teresa Baker, DPT — (CONTACT) — 617-353-7525 — nwendel@bu.edu

---

*Canonical: https://parkinsonspathways.com/trial/NCT06602544*  
*HTML version: https://parkinsonspathways.com/trial/NCT06602544*  
*Source data: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06602544*