Tai Chi for Parkinson's (NCT07662837)
Comparing Tai Chi Qigong balance
- Trial ID
- NCT07662837
- Official Title
- Effects of Tai Chi Therapy Versus Qi-Gong on Postural Control, Functional Balance , and Motor Function in Stage-I Parkinson's Patients.
- Goal
- Comparing Tai Chi Qigong balance
- Phase
- NA
- Status
- RECRUITING
- Sponsor
- Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Enrollment
- 50 participants
- Conditions
- PARKINSON DISEASE (Disorder)
- Interventions
- Tai Chi, Qi Gong
- Registry Record Last Updated
- 2026-06-23 (1 month ago)
- Estimated Commitment
- Lower commitment estimated from the protocol (based on: 8 study visits). This reflects time and procedures only — confirm details with the study coordinator.
Summary For Families
The study asks which movement-based rehab works better for early Parkinson's, Tai Chi or Qi-Gong, by measuring balance, posture control, and overall motor function and looking for an approach people can tolerate and stick with. Participants are randomly assigned to one of the two 8 to 12 week programs; both are guided gentle movement and breathing practices, and progress is measured before and after with standard tools that assess Parkinson's severity and balance. The trial is looking for people aged 50 to 65 with early Stage I Parkinson's who are on a stable Parkinson's medication plan for at least three months, can handle basic self-care, and have no major cognitive impairment; people with significant depression, recent deep brain stimulation, medications that affect thinking or attention, or current exercise training are not eligible.
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.
- Medication dose: Must be on a stable dose of Parkinson's medication (criteria text: "Currently receiving stable anti-Parkinsonian medication, with no changes in the treatment regimen for at least 3 months.")
- Deep brain stimulation: Cannot join after DBS surgery (deep brain stimulation) (criteria text: "recent deep brain stimulation (dbs) treatment")
- Thinking test (MMSE): MMSE memory and thinking score of at least 24 (criteria text: "basic self-care ability with no severe cognitive impairment (mini-mental state examination \[mmse\] score >=24)")
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 50 to 65.
- This trial does not enroll people who have had (or are scheduled for) DBS surgery.
- This trial requires an MMSE thinking-test score of at least 24.
Locations
- Ghurki Trust and Teaching Hospital, Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan
- The Meer's Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Lahore, Pakistan
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 NCT07662837. It is the one about "Comparing Tai Chi Qigong 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: Assessments are recorded at baseline and post-intervention, and the study lasts 8 to 12 weeks. 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 Tai Chi. The study asks which movement-based rehab works better for early Parkinson's, Tai Chi or Qi-Gong, by measuring balance, posture control, and overall motor function and looking for an approach people can tolerate and stick with. Participants are randomly assigned to one of the two 8 to 12 week programs; both are guided gentle movement and breathing practices, and progress is measured before and after with standard tools that assess Parkinson's severity and balance. The trial is looking for people aged 50 to 65 with early Stage I Parkinson's who are on a stable Parkinson's medication plan for at least three months, can handle basic self-care, and have no major cognitive impairment; people with significant depression, recent deep brain stimulation, medications that affect thinking or attention, or current exercise training are not eligible.
- Who can participate?
- Participants must be between 50 Years and 65 Years.
- Where is this trial located?
- This trial is recruiting at 2 locations.
- 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?
- This trial is estimated to last approximately 3 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?
- Assessments are recorded at baseline and post-intervention, and the study lasts 8 to 12 weeks.