Mobile Application for Gait Training in Parkinson's Disease

The developed mobile application is a digital tool that provides automated, patient-specific metronome sounds and corresponding tactile vibrations to support optimal walking speed and rhythm. This study aims to investigate the effects of this external stimulus-supported gait training on walking performance and functional mobility in patients with Parkinson's disease in a single-center, controlled design.

Participants will be randomized into two groups: an experimental group receiving both auditory and tactile stimuli (vibration) via the mobile application, and a control group receiving standard gait training without any external stimuli. Both groups will undergo gait training for 30 minutes per day, 3 days a week, over a period of 6 weeks. Assessments will be conducted before and after the intervention by trained clinicians under standardized conditions. Walking and balance performance will be evaluated using the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) to assess functional mobility and dynamic balance, the Dual-Task TUG to assess cognitive-motor interaction, the 5-Times Sit to Stand Test (5xSST) to measure lower extremity functional strength, the Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS) to evaluate trunk control, and the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) to assess fall anxiety. Additionally, spatiotemporal walking parameters, including cadence, walking speed, and step count, will be analyzed using a separate gait analysis mobile application (Gait Analyzer).

Inclusion criteria

Diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinson's disease by a neurologist based on clinical and radiological findings.

Disease severity between stages 1 to 3 according to the Modified Hoehn and Yahr Scale.

Able to walk at least 10 meters independently or with an assistive device.

Being in the "ON" period of Parkinson's medication.

Ability to use technological devices such as smartphones (scoring 35 or higher on the Digital Competence Inventory for Older Adults).

Fluent in reading, understanding, and speaking Turkish.

Voluntarily participating in the study.

Exclusion criteria

Having neurological disorders other than Parkinson's disease that could affect mobility.

History of knee joint surgery or traumatic injury affecting the knee joint.

History of any surgery within the last 6 months.

Presence of a deep brain stimulator.

Hearing impairment.

Cognitive impairment or inability to understand and follow the study procedures.

Other physical or systemic conditions that could affect walking assessments (e.g., amputation, severe diabetes mellitus, alcohol addiction).