Leg cuffs plus walking: a new way to steady Parkinson's balance?
NCT ID NCT07831980
First seen Sep 21, 2026 · Last updated Sep 21, 2026
Summary
People with Parkinson's disease often struggle with balance and anxiety, and the two can make each other worse, especially when they try to walk and think at the same time. High-intensity aerobic exercise may help both, but Parkinson's symptoms make it hard for many to reach that intensity. Researchers at National Cheng-Kung University Hospital are testing whether walking on a treadmill at a gentler pace while inflatable cuffs restrict blood flow in the legs can improve dual-task balance, reduce anxiety, and change brain activity. The study plans to enroll 54 adults with early-to-moderate Parkinson's and measure posture, skin conductance, and EEG before and after exercise.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- aerobic exercise on a treadmill with inflatable blood flow restriction cuffs on the legs
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could give people with Parkinson's a gentler way to train balance and anxiety than high-intensity exercise, which many cannot tolerate.
- What could go wrong
- The study is small and early, and it mixes exercise with cuffs, so researchers may not be able to tell which part helps. Blood flow restriction can cause discomfort or bruising, and results in 54 people may not apply to everyone with Parkinson's.
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
-
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
-
About 54 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
-
Sep 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
-
Jul 2029
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
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
-
Children (under 18), adults (18 to 64) and older adults (65 and over)
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinson's disease by a board-certified neurologist specializing in movement disorders. * Early-to-moderate stage of Parkinson's disease, corresponding to Hoehn and Yahr Stages 1 to 3 in the on-medication state. * Absence of other neurological or orthopedic conditions affecting balance and gait (e.g., stroke, vestibular disorders). * Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ≥ 26, indicating intact cognitive function without significant cognitive impairment. Exclusion Criteria: * Contraindications to blood flow restriction (BFR), including a history of cardiopulmonary disease, pneumonia, varicose veins, diabetes mellitus, or intermittent claudication; uncontrolled/unstable hypertension; active smoking; or currently taking medications that increase the risk of blood clots. * Presence of depressive symptoms that could influence postural control or anxiety assessments, defined as currently taking antidepressant medications or scoring \> 1 on item 1.3 (Depressed mood) of the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) Part I. * History of neurosurgical procedures, such as Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). * Color vision deficiency or color blindness, which interferes with the visual color discrimination task.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Anxiety are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
-
The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
-
A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Gut bacteria may hold clues to dozens of diseases
- Sharper brain scans could reveal Parkinson's changes sooner
- VR headset may calm kids before heart procedure
- Could a whiff of xenon replace the Pre-Surgery chill pill?
- Can a pencil and paper calm anxious teens with diabetes?
- Can a tailored therapy ease anxiety and depression in autistic teens?