Exercise for Parkinson's (NCT07442747)

Can forced cycling improve walking

Trial ID
NCT07442747
Official Title
Neural Mechanisms Underlying the Benefits of Aerobic Exercise in Advanced Parkinson's Disease
Goal
Can forced cycling improve walking
Phase
PHASE2
Status
RECRUITING
Sponsor
The Cleveland Clinic
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
36 participants
Conditions
Parkinson's Disease, Deep Brain Stimulation
Interventions
Exercise

Summary For Families

Goal: Learn how aerobic exercise, comparing forced cycling (a motor helps you pedal faster than you could on your own) and voluntary cycling (you pedal at your own pace), affects movement, thinking, and brain activity in people with advanced Parkinson's disease who have deep brain stimulation. Approach: Over an eight-week program with an initial delayed-start comparison, 36 participants will follow either the forced or voluntary cycling plan while researchers measure motor symptoms, cognitive tests, and brain signals using sensors on the head and recordings from the implanted deep brain stimulation device before exercise, after eight weeks, and again four weeks later. Eligibility: Adults 18 and older with Parkinson's who already have a bilateral Medtronic Percept deep brain stimulation implant with stable settings, who can walk for five continuous minutes, and who are willing to temporarily stop Parkinson's medications and turn off stimulation during some assessments; people with major memory problems, other brain diseases, certain heart rhythm problems, or musculoskeletal issues that prevent exercise are not eligible, and anyone needing medical clearance must obtain it before joining.

Locations

  • Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States

Making Contact: How to Call This Study Site

Who to ask for

Ask for the study coordinator. Some sites call this person the research coordinator. They are the right person for questions about joining a study. If you reach a front desk or a doctor's office scheduler, ask them to connect you with the research team for this study.

What to say

It is fine to read this out loud, word for word:

Hello, my name is ____. I am calling about a Parkinson's study at your site. The study number is NCT07442747. It is the one about "Can forced cycling improve walking". Could I speak with the study coordinator about taking part?

If you are calling for a family member, use their name and mention that you help with their care.

What they will ask you

  • The year of diagnosis
  • Current medications and their doses
  • Other health conditions
  • Any procedures already done, such as deep brain stimulation (DBS)
  • How far you are able to travel for study visits
  • Whether a care partner can come to visits with you

What to have ready

  • A written list of current medications and doses
  • Your neurologist's name and phone number
  • The diagnosis date. The year is enough.
  • A recent visit summary from the neurologist, if you have one

What to ask them

  • How many visits are there, and how long does each visit take? The listing already answers this: Supervised sessions occur three times per week, each session about 40 minutes, during an eight-week cycling program. Ask the coordinator to confirm it still applies.
  • Is travel, parking, or my time reimbursed?
  • Is there a placebo group, and what is my chance of being in it? The listing already answers this: There is no placebo group. Everyone receives an active treatment; the study compares one treatment against another. Ask the coordinator to confirm it still applies.
  • Would I need to stop or pause any of my current medications?
  • What happens when the study ends? Could I stay on the treatment if it helps?

What to expect

  • Expect to wait a few days for a callback. A week is common. Calling or emailing again after that is fine and normal.
  • Many callers do not end up joining. Screening out is common and is not a judgment about you or your health.
  • Asking questions commits you to nothing. You can stop the process at any point.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this trial testing?
This trial is studying Exercise. Goal: Learn how aerobic exercise, comparing forced cycling (a motor helps you pedal faster than you could on your own) and voluntary cycling (you pedal at your own pace), affects movement, thinking, and brain activity in people with advanced Parkinson's disease who have deep brain stimulation. Approach: Over an eight-week program with an initial delayed-start comparison, 36 participants will follow either the forced or voluntary cycling plan while researchers measure motor symptoms, cognitive tests, and brain signals using sensors on the head and recordings from the implanted deep brain stimulation device before exercise, after eight weeks, and again four weeks later. Eligibility: Adults 18 and older with Parkinson's who already have a bilateral Medtronic Percept deep brain stimulation implant with stable settings, who can walk for five continuous minutes, and who are willing to temporarily stop Parkinson's medications and turn off stimulation during some assessments; people with major memory problems, other brain diseases, certain heart rhythm problems, or musculoskeletal issues that prevent exercise are not eligible, and anyone needing medical clearance must obtain it before joining.
Who can participate?
Participants must be at least 18 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 Phase 2 trial is estimated to last approximately 3 years and 6 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?
There is no placebo group. Everyone receives an active treatment; the study compares one treatment against another.
How many visits does this trial involve?
Supervised sessions occur three times per week, each session about 40 minutes, during an eight-week cycling program.
What procedures are involved in this trial?
Based on the protocol, this trial involves: Brain surgery / implanted device (invasive); Brain wave recording (EEG) (non-invasive). Confirm the full schedule with the study coordinator.

Related Reading

View on ClinicalTrials.gov