Improve obstacle crossing while walking
- Trial ID
- NCT06932679
- Official Title
- Affordances and Impairments: A Paradigm for Understanding Obstacle Crossing in Parkinson's Disease
- Goal
- Improve obstacle crossing while walking
- Status
- RECRUITING
- Sponsor
- University of Haifa
- Study Type
- OBSERVATIONAL
- Enrollment
- 180 participants
- Conditions
- Parkinson's Disease (PD)
- Interventions
- Assessment of Gait and Visual Exploration
Summary For Families
The goal is to understand how people with Parkinson's plan and execute stepping over obstacles, by looking at how movement abilities and visual exploration combine to make crossing safe or risky. Rather than testing a drug, researchers will record gait and where participants look as they approach and step over obstacles, comparing people with PD to healthy peers to pinpoint specific walking or visual strategy differences. Findings could help design training, cues, or devices to reduce trips and falls. The study is enrolling adults 20 to 80 who can walk outdoors without aids, with PD participants needing a confirmed diagnosis and no freezing of gait; severe uncorrectable vision problems, major cognitive impairment, or orthopedic issues that affect walking exclude people.
Locations
- University of Haifa, Motor Performance Laboratory, Haifa, Israel
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is this trial testing?
- This trial is studying Assessment of Gait and Visual Exploration. The goal is to understand how people with Parkinson's plan and execute stepping over obstacles, by looking at how movement abilities and visual exploration combine to make crossing safe or risky. Rather than testing a drug, researchers will record gait and where participants look as they approach and step over obstacles, comparing people with PD to healthy peers to pinpoint specific walking or visual strategy differences. Findings could help design training, cues, or devices to reduce trips and falls. The study is enrolling adults 20 to 80 who can walk outdoors without aids, with PD participants needing a confirmed diagnosis and no freezing of gait; severe uncorrectable vision problems, major cognitive impairment, or orthopedic issues that affect walking exclude people.
- Who can participate?
- Participants must be between 20 Years and 80 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 3 years.
- 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.