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Understanding Postural Control in Parkinson's Disease

This observational study is looking for 160 people with Parkinson's disease, aged 45-80, who can walk independently for 50 meters. The study will use transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to explore how the brain's pathways to leg and trunk muscles are working. Researchers want to understand how these pathways relate to problems with balance and walking in Parkinson's disease. The main goals are to measure average walking speed, stride length, and walking rhythm (cadence) at the start of the study. The study's status is currently unclear.

Study design
This is an observational study planning to enroll 160 participants.
What's involved
Not specified in the trial record.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Not specified.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06464029

Pathways Mediating Impaired Postural Control in Parkinson's Disease

Recruiting
Not specifiedAges 45–80Observational
University of Minnesota
~160 participants
Updated 2026-07-02 on ClinicalTrials.gov

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
average gate speed
Measured over baseline
+7 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Parkinson Disease

Explore related trials

Parkinson Disease

NCT06464029

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • University of Minnesota

    Minneapolis, Minnesotano site contact published

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Study leadership

  • Colum MacKinnon, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Minnesota

Who to contact

Joshua De Kam
[email protected]
612-626-8052
Email the study team

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Diagnosis of idiopathic PD or dystonia as determined by a movement disorders neurologist in accordance with the UK Society Brain Bank diagnostic criteria.
Age 45-80 years.
Able to ambulate independently without the use of an assistive device (e.g. cane) for 50 meters.
Age 45-80 years (this group will be age and sex-matched to the PD group)
Able to ambulate independently without the use of an assistive device (cane or walker)
Age 21-44 years (this group will be age and sex-matched to the PD group)
Able to ambulate independently without the use of an assistive device (cane or walker)

Exclusion

Subjects who describe a history of a frequent vasovagal syncope (fainting) in response to blood, emotional stress, or sensory triggers.
Subjects who are on anti-coagulant medications.
Any musculoskeletal disorder that affects the ability to stand.
History of seizures, epilepsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis, or traumatic brain injury.
Intracranial metallic or magnetic devices.
Pacemaker or any implanted device.
History of surgery on blood vessels, brain or heart.
Unexplained, recurring headaches or concussion within the last six months.
Moderate to severe hearing impairment.
Subjects who are pregnant.
Dementia diagnosis
Other significant neurological disorders that may affect participation or performance in the study
Implanted deep brain stimulator or other neurosurgeries to treat PD.

What this trial measures

  • average gate speedbaseline

    Participants will walk on an overground pressure walkway (GAITRite, Franklin, NJ) that provides spatiotemporal measures of walking. In addition, they will wear a set of wearable sensors (APDM Inc., Opals) attached to the feet, wrists and trunk (lumbar and sternum) to capture whole-body motion.

  • stride lengthbaseline

    Participants will walk on an overground pressure walkway (GAITRite, Franklin, NJ) that provides spatiotemporal measures of walking. In addition, they will wear a set of wearable sensors (APDM Inc., Opals) attached to the feet, wrists and trunk (lumbar and sternum) to capture whole-body motion.

  • cadencebaseline

    Participants will walk on an overground pressure walkway (GAITRite, Franklin, NJ) that provides spatiotemporal measures of walking. In addition, they will wear a set of wearable sensors (APDM Inc., Opals) attached to the feet, wrists and trunk (lumbar and sternum) to capture whole-body motion.

  • turn speedbaseline

    Participants will walk on an overground pressure walkway (GAITRite, Franklin, NJ) that provides spatiotemporal measures of walking. In addition, they will wear a set of wearable sensors (APDM Inc., Opals) attached to the feet, wrists and trunk (lumbar and sternum) to capture whole-body motion.

  • ankle rigidity25mins

    Quantitative measures of rigidity will be obtained using a custom-built robotic manipulandum. The manipulandum moves the ankle through a sinusoidal or triangular range of motion (25 deg of plantar flexion to 5 degrees of dorsiflexion; modified as needed for participant's range of motion) while measuring the resistive torque generated by ankle impedance.

  • Root mean square of the excursion of the center of pressure5mins

    Participants will stand on a set of force platforms that measures the forces and pressures beneath the feet. Primary outcome

  • single pulse TMS1.5hrs

    A measure of the excitability of corticospinal pathways. Primary outcome variables: Peak-to-peak amplitude of the motor evoked potential (MEP) responses to TMS in lower limb and trunk muscles.

  • Paired-Pulse TMS (Intracortical excitability):1hr

    A measure of the excitability of intracortical (motor cortex-motor cortex) inhibitory (short-intracortical inhibition, SICI) and excitatory (short-intracortical inhibition, ICF) networks. Primary outcome variables: Peak-to-peak amplitude of the motor evoked potential (MEP) responses to TMS in lower limb and trunk muscles.