Exercise plus VR may boost balance in Parkinson's – small study underway
NCT ID NCT06133283
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 31, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tests whether doing high-intensity exercise before virtual reality training can improve balance and brain flexibility in people with Parkinson's disease. Sixteen participants will be split into two groups: one does intense exercise plus VR, the other does stretching plus VR, for 8 weeks. Researchers will measure balance, walking, and brain changes at the start, end, and 6 weeks later.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- high intensity endurance exercise and virtual reality gaming
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a non-drug way to improve balance and brain adaptability in Parkinson's disease.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small early study with only 16 people, so results may not apply widely. The exercise and VR may be too demanding for some participants.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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16 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Feb 2024
- Finished
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Nov 2025
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 85 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Diagnosis of idiopathic PD (ages 18 -85) in Hoehn and Yahr stages 2 - 3. 2. Subjects need to demonstrate a score of equal to or greater than 23 on the Mini Mental State Examination. 3. Subjects who have a score of ≤21.5 on the Mini Balance Evaluations Systems Test (miniBESTest). Exclusion Criteria: 1. Subjects with a history of other neurological diseases (i.e., stroke, multiple sclerosis). 2. Subjects with a history of severe cardiopulmonary disease, uncontrolled hypertension, orthostatic hypotension, uncontrolled diabetes, severe osteoporosis, severe arthritis affecting their lower extremity joints. 3. Subjects with a history of PD-specific surgical procedures such as deep brain stimulation etc. 4. Subjects with a history of head injury. 5. Subjects with a history of seizures or epilepsy. 6. Subjects who are currently pregnant. 7. Individuals who use of medications that could alter corticomotor excitability or increase risk of seizure. 8. Individuals with skull abnormalities, fractures or unexplained, recurring headaches.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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UT Health San Antonio- Dept. of Physical Therapy
San Antonio, Texas, 78229, United States
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