Smartshoes zap freezing episodes in Parkinson's — pilot study launches

NCT ID NCT07001072

Not yet recruiting Symptom relief Sponsor: Stanford University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This pilot study tests whether a special shoe that vibrates can safely help people with Parkinson's disease who experience freezing of gait — a sudden inability to move their feet while walking. Twenty participants will wear the smartshoes and researchers will measure how well they tolerate the device and whether it reduces the time spent frozen. The goal is to see if this wearable, non-drug approach is worth studying further.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Smartshoes with haptic vibration feedback
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a non-drug way to help people with Parkinson's walk more freely during freezing episodes.
What could go wrong: This is a very small pilot study (20 people) testing safety and tolerability first. The vibration feedback may not reduce freezing in practice, and results may not apply to all Parkinson's patients.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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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

Stanford University

Palo Alto, California, 94305, United States

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