Quadriceps Neuromuscular Electrica… for Parkinson's (NCT07589296)
Improve walking speed and balance
- Trial ID
- NCT07589296
- Official Title
- Comparative Effects of Robot-Assisted Gait Training and Quadriceps Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Added to Standard Exercise Rehabilitation on Balance, Gait, Disease Severity, and Quadriceps Muscle Adaptations in Patients With Parkinson Disease: A Prospective Randomized Assessor-Blinded Clinical Trial
- Goal
- Improve walking speed and balance
- Phase
- NA
- Status
- RECRUITING
- Sponsor
- Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Enrollment
- 40 participants
- Conditions
- Parkinson Disease (PD)
- Interventions
- Quadriceps Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES), robot -assisted gait training
- Registry Record Last Updated
- 2026-05-15 (2 months ago)
- Estimated Commitment
- Moderate commitment estimated from the protocol (based on: 14 study visits). This reflects time and procedures only — confirm details with the study coordinator.
Summary For Families
Researchers are comparing whether adding robot-assisted gait training or electrical stimulation of the quadriceps to standard exercise rehab does a better job of improving balance, walking, overall Parkinson's severity, and changes in thigh muscle. The robot guides and supports repeated, task-specific walking to retrain gait and balance, while neuromuscular electrical stimulation sends small pulses to make the quadriceps contract, strengthening the muscle and improving activation; both are delivered on top of usual rehab exercises. The trial is looking for people aged 40 to 80 with mild to moderate Parkinson's (Hoehn and Yahr stage II,III) who can walk independently, are on stable medications, can follow instructions, and do not have severe cognitive, cardiovascular, or musculoskeletal problems or implanted electronic devices like pacemakers.
Eligibility at a Glance
Key requirements found in this trial's official criteria, in plain language. Only what the listing states is shown; the study team makes the final call.
- Disease stage: Hoehn and Yahr stage 2 to 3
- Medication dose: Must be on a stable dose of Parkinson's medication (criteria text: "Stable medical treatment for at least 4 weeks prior to study enrollment")
Do I Likely Qualify? — Self-Check Dimensions
The trial page offers an interactive self-check built from this trial's parsed criteria. It covers these dimensions; anything the criteria don't state clearly is answered "ask the study coordinator", never assumed.
- This trial enrolls people aged 40 to 80.
- This trial requires Hoehn and Yahr stage 2 to 3.
Locations
- Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey, Küçükçekmece, Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)
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 NCT07589296. It is the one about "Improve walking speed and balance". 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: You will be evaluated at baseline, at the end of the six-week treatment period, and at follow-up in week 14. 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 Quadriceps Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES). Researchers are comparing whether adding robot-assisted gait training or electrical stimulation of the quadriceps to standard exercise rehab does a better job of improving balance, walking, overall Parkinson's severity, and changes in thigh muscle. The robot guides and supports repeated, task-specific walking to retrain gait and balance, while neuromuscular electrical stimulation sends small pulses to make the quadriceps contract, strengthening the muscle and improving activation; both are delivered on top of usual rehab exercises. The trial is looking for people aged 40 to 80 with mild to moderate Parkinson's (Hoehn and Yahr stage II,III) who can walk independently, are on stable medications, can follow instructions, and do not have severe cognitive, cardiovascular, or musculoskeletal problems or implanted electronic devices like pacemakers.
- Who can participate?
- Participants must be between 40 Years and 80 Years.
- Where is this trial located?
- This trial is recruiting at 1 location.
- Does it cost anything to join?
- Being asked to pay to join a trial is a red flag: legitimate trials do not charge a participation fee, and the study treatment and study-specific tests are provided by the trial sponsor. What you might still pay depends on where you live: in the US, routine care you would receive anyway can be billed to you or your insurance; 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?
- The estimated duration for this trial is not yet available. Trials typically last several months to a few years depending on the study design.
- 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?
- You will be evaluated at baseline, at the end of the six-week treatment period, and at follow-up in week 14.
- What procedures are involved in this trial?
- Based on the protocol, this trial involves: Ultrasound (non-invasive). Confirm the full schedule with the study coordinator.