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OpenTrials
Active, not recruiting

NCT Number: NCT07821151

The Effect of Beechband on Parkinson's Symptoms

Parkinson's disease can affect movement, balance, and everyday activities. The Beechband is a wrist-worn device that provides intermittent vibrations. Some people have reported improvements in symptoms while wearing the device, but there is currently little scientific evidence to support these reports.

This pilot study will explore whether movement symptoms and participants' perceptions of their symptoms change after wearing the Beechband for 6 or 12 weeks. Approximately 60 people with Parkinson's disease will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will wear the Beechband for 12 weeks. The other group will continue their usual activities without the Beechband for the first 6 weeks and will then wear it for the following 6 weeks. Participants will be asked to wear the device for approximately 6 hours each day during their assigned wearing period.

Assessments will be conducted remotely by video call at the beginning of the study and after 6 and 12 weeks. They will include measures of movement and balance, a timed walking task, and questionnaires about symptoms and everyday experiences. Device use and any unwanted or unexpected effects will also be recorded.

The study is intended to estimate the size of any possible changes and assess the feasibility of a future larger clinical trial. It is not designed to provide definitive evidence that the Beechband is effective.

Active, not recruiting

This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

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Key information

Conditions

Parkinson Disease (PD) Basal Ganglia Diseases Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Movement Disorders Nervous System Diseases Neurodegenerative Diseases Parkinson Disease Parkinsonian Disorders Synucleinopathies

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Exeter

Exeter, Devon, EX4 4QJ, United Kingdom

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease according to UK Parkinson's Disease Society Brain Bank criteria
  • Able to participate in online video calls

Exclusion criteria

  • Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) score below 16
  • Previous use of a Beechband, or another vibrating wrist-worn device, for managing symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease
  • Any neurological diagnosis other than Parkinson's disease that affects cognition or memory, pain, or movement
  • Pregnant
  • Significant memory problems that could interfere with the ability to provide informed consent
  • Unable to stand or walk without assistance for at least 1 minute
  • Any electronic implant, including deep brain stimulation or a pacemaker

Treatment and study plan

Beechband

Device

The Beechband is a wrist-worn device that delivers intermittent vibrotactile stimulation. Participants are instructed to wear the device for approximately 6 hours per day during their assigned intervention period, following the manufacturer's guidance.

Arm 1: Participants in the IMMEDIATE start arm wear the device for 12 weeks. Arm 2: Participants in the DELAYED start arm wear the device during Weeks 6-12.

During selected remote assessments following a Beechband wearing period, movement measures are completed with the device switched on and switched off.

Primary outcomes

  1. Modified Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Motor Score (Modified UPDRS)

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 6, and Week 12

    Motor symptoms are assessed remotely using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale. Items that cannot be assessed reliably by video, including rigidity and postural instability, are omitted. Retained items are scored and summed, with higher scores indicating more severe motor symptoms. Assessments following a Beechband-wearing period also include measurements with the device switched on and switched off.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Timed Up and Go Test Completion Time

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 6, and Week 12

    Time in seconds required to stand from a chair, walk 3 metres, turn, return, and sit down. A shorter time indicates better functional mobility.

  2. Falls Efficacy Scale - International (FES-I)

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 6, and Week 12

    Self-reported concern about falling during everyday activities. Higher scores indicate greater concern about falling.

  3. Visual Sensitivity Scale (VSS)

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 6, and Week 12

    Self-reported symptoms associated with visually complex or moving environments

  4. Gait Specific Attentional Profile (G-SAP)

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 6, and Week 12

    Self-reported attention directed toward walking and movement.

  5. Generalised Anxiety Scale (GAD-7)

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 6, and Week 12

    Seven-item measure of anxiety symptoms, ranging from 0 to 21; higher scores indicate greater anxiety.

Other outcomes

  1. Montreal Cognitive Assessment Total Score (MOCA)

    Time frame: Baseline

    Measure of cognitive function completed remotely, including drawing tasks shown to the researcher by video.

  2. Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity Score (RAPA)

    Time frame: Every 2 weeks through Week 12

    Self-reported level of physical activity during the preceding two weeks.

  3. Self Reported Beechband Use

    Time frame: Every 2 weeks during the assigned wearing period, through Week 12

    Average number of hours per day and frequency of Beechband use during the preceding two weeks.

  4. Participant Withdrawal Rate

    Time frame: Through Week 12

    Number and percentage of enrolled participants who withdraw before completing the Week 12 assessment.

  5. Adverse Events

    Time frame: Every 2 weeks and through Week 12

    Number and type of unwanted or unexpected health events reported during the study, including discomfort and dizziness.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Exeter

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Evaluating Potential Changes in Symptoms Associated With Parkinson's After 6-12 Weeks of Wearing the Beechband

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Sep 15, 2026
Registry last updated
Sep 15, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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