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Robotic Apparel for Freezing of Gait in Parkinson's Disease

This study is testing a new device called Robotic Apparel to help people with Parkinson's disease (PD) who experience "freezing of gait" (FoG). FoG is when your feet feel stuck to the floor, making it hard to walk. The Robotic Apparel is a lightweight, wearable robot worn around the waist and thighs that helps your hip move during walking. Researchers want to see if this apparel can prevent FoG by improving your walking. They will measure how much time you spend freezing while wearing the device. You might be able to join if you are 18-90 years old, have FoG due to PD, can walk independently for at least 20 meters, and score 21 or higher on a cognitive screening test (MoCA). The study plans to enroll 20 participants, but its current status is unclear.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 20 participants. It is not specified if it is randomized or blinded.
What's involved
Not specified in the trial record.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your freezing of gait will be measured at visits within 6 months after you enroll.

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

NCT06602544

Robotic Apparel to Prevent Freezing of Gait in Parkinson Disease

Recruiting
NAAges 18–90InterventionalTreatment
Harvard Medical School (HMS and HSDM)
~20 participants
Updated 2025-07-18 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Robotic Apparel

At a glance

Recruiting sites
2 of 2 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change in percent time spent freezing
Measured over Visit 4 (within 6 months after enrollment)
+11 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Parkinson Disease (PD)

Explore related trials

Parkinson Disease

NCT06602544

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 2 sites. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • Boston University Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

    Boston, Massachusettsstudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

  • Harvard Science and Engineering Complex

    Allston, Massachusettsstudy coordinator listed

    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

  • Terry Ellis, PT, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Boston University
  • Conor J Walsh, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Harvard University

Who to contact

Franchino Porciuncula, EdD, PT, DScPT
[email protected]
617-353-7525
Email the study team

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

18-90 years old
Self-reported Freezing of Gait due to PD
Score of 21 or higher on the cognitive screening test (Montreal Cognitive Assessment Score (MoCA))
Independent ambulation (with or without an assistive device, no physical assistance) for at least 20 meters
Able to understand, communicate, and be understood by study staff
Provide HIPAA Authorization to allow communication with the participant's treating physician/provider for medical clearance (if deemed necessary by study clinical team) to verify self-reported medical history (if deemed necessary by study clinical team)
Provide informed consent
Ability to participate in 8 research study visits

Exclusion

More than 2 falls in the previous month, as a result of gait impairment (may enroll under clinician discretion)
Major surgery in the last 6 months that interferes with walking (may enroll under clinician discretion)
Gait deficits due to missing limbs
Experience chronic pain that interferes with walking ability (may enroll under clinician discretion)
Serious co-morbidities (unrelated to gait impairment) that may interfere with ability to participate in research (e.g. cardiovascular, neurological, skin, and vascular conditions such as acute, ongoing/unmanaged deep vein thrombosis)
No observable freezing-of-gait

What this trial measures

  • Change in percent time spent freezingVisit 4 (within 6 months after enrollment)

    Percent time spent freezing refers to cumulative duration spent freezing divided by the total duration of the task, expressed as percentage. Change in this outcome measure refers to the difference in percent time spent freezing during activities with and without assistance of robotic apparel.

  • Change in percent time spent freezingVisit 5 (within 6 months after enrollment)

    Percent time spent freezing refers to cumulative duration spent freezing divided by the total duration of the task, expressed as percentage. Change in this outcome measure refers to the difference in percent time spent freezing during activities with and without assistance of robotic apparel.

  • Change in percent time spent freezingVisit 6 (within 6 months after enrollment)

    Percent time spent freezing refers to cumulative duration spent freezing divided by the total duration of the task, expressed as percentage. Change in this outcome measure refers to the difference in percent time spent freezing during activities with and without assistance of robotic apparel.

  • Change in percent time spent freezingVisit 7 (within 6 months after enrollment)

    Percent time spent freezing refers to cumulative duration spent freezing divided by the total duration of the task, expressed as percentage. Change in this outcome measure refers to the difference in percent time spent freezing during activities with and without assistance of robotic apparel.

  • Change in percent time spent freezingVisit 8 (within 6 months after enrollment)

    Percent time spent freezing refers to cumulative duration spent freezing divided by the total duration of the task, expressed as percentage. Change in this outcome measure refers to the difference in percent time spent freezing during activities with and without assistance of robotic apparel.

  • Change in percent time spent freezingVisit 9 (within 6 months after enrollment)

    Percent time spent freezing refers to cumulative duration spent freezing divided by the total duration of the task, expressed as percentage. Change in this outcome measure refers to the difference in percent time spent freezing during activities with and without assistance of robotic apparel.

  • Change in stride lengthVisit 4 (within 6 months after enrollment)

    Stride length is the Euclidian distance between a point at heel strike at the beginning of gait cycle and a point at heel strike at the subsequent gait cycle. Change in this outcome measure refers to difference in stride length during activities with and without assistance of robotic apparel.

  • Change in stride lengthVisit 5 (within 6 months after enrollment)

    Stride length is the Euclidian distance between a point at heel strike at the beginning of gait cycle and a point at heel strike at the subsequent gait cycle. Change in this outcome measure refers to difference in stride length during activities with and without assistance of robotic apparel.

  • Change in stride lengthVisit 6 (within 6 months after enrollment)

    Stride length is the Euclidian distance between a point at heel strike at the beginning of gait cycle and a point at heel strike at the subsequent gait cycle. Change in this outcome measure refers to difference in stride length during activities with and without assistance of robotic apparel.

  • Change in stride lengthVisit 7 (within 6 months after enrollment)

    Stride length is the Euclidian distance between a point at heel strike at the beginning of gait cycle and a point at heel strike at the subsequent gait cycle. Change in this outcome measure refers to difference in stride length during activities with and without assistance of robotic apparel.

  • Change in stride lengthVisit 8 (within 6 months after enrollment)

    Stride length is the Euclidian distance between a point at heel strike at the beginning of gait cycle and a point at heel strike at the subsequent gait cycle. Change in this outcome measure refers to difference in stride length during activities with and without assistance of robotic apparel.

  • Change in stride lengthVisit 9 (within 6 months after enrollment)

    Stride length is the Euclidian distance between a point at heel strike at the beginning of gait cycle and a point at heel strike at the subsequent gait cycle. Change in this outcome measure refers to difference in stride length during activities with and without assistance of robotic apparel.