Zap to walk: brain and spine stimulation may boost Parkinson's rehab

NCT ID NCT06868160

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: IRCCS San Raffaele Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether adding gentle electrical stimulation to the brain and spine can improve walking and balance training for people with Parkinson's disease who have trouble with gait. About 71 participants (51 with Parkinson's and 20 healthy controls) will take part. The Parkinson's group will do special walking exercises while receiving either real or fake stimulation, and researchers will track changes in mobility and brain activity over several months.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: transcranial and trans-spinal direct current stimulation (tDCS/tsDCS)
What this could lead to: If successful, this approach could offer a non-drug way to enhance rehabilitation and improve walking and balance in people with Parkinson's disease.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase study (71 participants) testing a device, so results may not apply widely. The stimulation is non-invasive and generally safe, but individual responses vary.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Parkinson disease

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

PARKINSON DISEASE

Contacts and locations

Locations

San Raffaele Neurotech Hub
RECRUITING

Milan, 20132, Italy

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