Cane for Parkinson's (NCT06950255)
Improve gait stability using cane
- Trial ID
- NCT06950255
- Official Title
- Effect of a 3-week Program of Cane Training and Use on Gait of Individuals With Parkinson's Disease: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
- Goal
- Improve gait stability using cane
- Phase
- NA
- Status
- RECRUITING
- Sponsor
- Federal University of Minas Gerais
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Enrollment
- 26 participants
- Conditions
- Parkinson Disease
- Interventions
- Cane, static stretching and health education
Summary For Families
It tests whether a focused 3-week cane training program can improve walking speed, step quality and stability for people with Parkinson's who have slowed or unstable gait. Participants are randomized to supervised training that teaches correct single-point cane timing, placement, weight shift and posture to promote steadier, longer steps, or to a control group doing static stretching and health education; the cane is a mechanical aid used alongside stable Parkinson's medications and does not change how drugs like levodopa work. The trial is looking for adults 40 and older with idiopathic PD at Hoehn and Yahr stages II to IV who can walk independently up to 14 meters at 1.1 m/s or slower, are on stable antiparkinsonian meds for at least 6 months, and can safely use a single-point cane, while people with cognitive impairment, deep brain stimulation, or other major health issues are excluded.
Locations
- Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is this trial testing?
- This trial is studying Cane. It tests whether a focused 3-week cane training program can improve walking speed, step quality and stability for people with Parkinson's who have slowed or unstable gait. Participants are randomized to supervised training that teaches correct single-point cane timing, placement, weight shift and posture to promote steadier, longer steps, or to a control group doing static stretching and health education; the cane is a mechanical aid used alongside stable Parkinson's medications and does not change how drugs like levodopa work. The trial is looking for adults 40 and older with idiopathic PD at Hoehn and Yahr stages II to IV who can walk independently up to 14 meters at 1.1 m/s or slower, are on stable antiparkinsonian meds for at least 6 months, and can safely use a single-point cane, while people with cognitive impairment, deep brain stimulation, or other major health issues are excluded.
- Who can participate?
- Participants must be at least 40 Years.
- Where is this trial located?
- This trial is recruiting at 1 location.
- Does it cost anything to join?
- You are never charged a fee to join a legitimate clinical trial, and the study treatment and study-specific tests are provided by the trial sponsor at no charge. In the US, routine care you would receive anyway can still be billed to you or your insurance; coverage rules differ by country, and trials in the UK and Canada usually run through public health systems. Travel, parking, and time are real costs, and some trials reimburse them while others do not. Before enrolling, ask the study coordinator to explain in writing what is and is not covered.
- How long does the trial last?
- This trial is estimated to last approximately 1 year and 5 months.
- 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.
- 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.
- Will I get a placebo in this trial?
- This trial has 2 groups, and 1 is a sham (a pretend version of the procedure) group. Because assignment is random, you have about a 1 in 2 chance (roughly 50%) of being in the sham group, assuming the groups are filled equally. Ask the coordinator to confirm the exact assignment ratio.
- How many visits does this trial involve?
- The study includes four sessions lasting 40 minutes each, spaced over 15 to 22 days, with assessments at week 0, post-intervention (after the 3-week intervention), and at an 8-week follow-up.
- What procedures are involved in this trial?
- Based on the protocol, this trial involves: Brain surgery / implanted device (invasive); Questionnaires & surveys (non-invasive). Confirm the full schedule with the study coordinator.