Freezing in Parkinson's Disease

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a visual and auditory cueing walker on freezing of gait during walking in patients with Parkinson's disease (PDF), compared to Parkinson patients without freezing of gait (PDNF).Sample size was calculated to detect a difference of 0.37 m/sec on mean velocity, with a deviation of 0.3 m/sec, two-sided 5% significance level, and power of 90%. Considering the expected 10% dropout rate, twelve subjects were included.Researcher R1 determined whether the subject was eligible for inclusion in the trial and researcher R2 carried out the gait analysis. Both examiners were unaware of group allocation. An independent researcher (R3) performed the clinical evaluation before the procedures started. Participants walked back and forth on a 7-meter walking path under two different conditions: without cues and with a walker providing visual and auditory cues. To assess the risk of falls in both groups, the "Tinetti Balance and Gait Assessment" was conducted. Additionally, the "Dynamic Gait Index" was used to evaluate the ability to adapt walking to varying task demands, and the Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT) was employed to determine walking speed.

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Key information

Conditions

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

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Meram, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

This study suggests that a walker providing visual and auditory cues may improve daily walking in patients with Parkinson's disease with freezing of gait (PDF) and reduce the risk of falls in patients with Parkinson's disease without freezing of gait (PDNF) who exhibit hypokinetic gait patterns.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

Those with a Hoehn-Yahr classification between 2.5 and 4 were included in the study.

Exclusion criteria

Patients with secondary parkinsonism, severe systemic diseases, psychiatric illness, cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination score <24), hearing and vision loss, musculoskeletal problems, or symptoms suggestive of cerebellar dysfunction were excluded from the study.

Treatment and study plan

Visual & Auditory Cueing Walker

Other

Intervention Name:

Visual & Auditory Cueing Walker

Other Intervention Names (varsa):

Cueing Walker Walker with Visual & Auditory Cues

Intervention Description:

"Participants in this arm were assessed under two within-subject conditions: walking on a 7-meter path without cues (control condition) and walking on the same path using a visual and auditory cueing walker (intervention condition). Each participant completed both conditions in a single session. Pre- and post-walking evaluations were conducted for walking speed (Timed Up and Go Test), fall risk (Tinetti Balance and Gait Assessment), and gait adaptation (Dynamic Gait Index). The 'no cues' condition represents a repeated-measures control within the same arm. Participants were included based on the presence of freezing of gait."

Planned Enrollment: 18

Primary outcomes

Gait Adaptation

Time frame: Immediately after walking with the visual and auditory cueing walker test was completed

Dynamic Gait Index: Time taken by the participant to complete the 7-meter walking path under each condition (without cues and with visual & auditory cueing walker), measured using the Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT).

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Necmettin Erbakan University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effect of Visual and Auditory Cueing Walker on Gait in Individuals With Parkinson's Disease Experiencing Freezing of Gait

Acronym: parkinson

Important dates

Study start: 2023
Primary completion: 2023
Study completion: 2023
First posted: Oct 8, 2025
Registry last updated: Oct 8, 2025

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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Completed