Smart sensors could revolutionize Parkinson's monitoring
NCT ID NCT03681015
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study used body-worn sensors to track movement in 132 people with early, untreated Parkinson's disease over 12 months. The goal was to see if digital measurements could accurately measure disease progression and match standard clinical assessments. The findings may help develop better tools for monitoring Parkinson's in the future.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could lead to better ways to track Parkinson's disease progression using wearable devices, potentially improving future clinical trials and patient care.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational study, not a treatment trial. It may not directly change patient outcomes, and the digital measures may not fully capture disease complexity.
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.
- Participants
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132 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Apr 2019
- Finished
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Mar 2022
- 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.
Who is studied
Cohort 1 (PD Participants): Male and female subjects with early, untreated Parkinson's disease, aged 30 years or older at time of disease diagnosis Cohort 2 (Control Participants): Male and female subjects without Parkinson's disease, aged 30 years or older.
- Ages
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30 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
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.
Cohort 1 (PD Participants) Inclusion Criteria: 1. Able to give written informed consent, as determined by the investigator. 2. Subjects must have at least two of the following: resting tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity (must have either resting tremor or bradykinesia as one of two symptoms); OR either asymmetric resting tremor or asymmetric bradykinesia. 3. Screening dopamine transporter (DAT) SPECT scan is consistent with dopamine transporter deficit. 4. A diagnosis of Parkinson disease for 2 years or less at screening. 5. Modified Hoehn and Yahr stage \<=II at screening. 6. Not expected to require PD medication for at least 6 months from baseline (includes dopaminergics, MAO-B inhibitors, and anti-cholinergics used to treat PD-related symptoms). 7. Male or female age 30 years or older at time of PD diagnosis. 8. Female subjects of childbearing potential must agree to be using highly effective contraception within 30 days prior to DaTscan (e.g., oral contraceptives, a barrier method of birth control (e.g., condoms with contraceptive foam, diaphragm with contraceptive jelly), intrauterine device, partner with vasectomy or sexual abstinence). 9. Male subjects who are fertile and have a partner of childbearing potential must agree to use reliable contraception for 14 days following the administration of DaTscanTM (e.g., condoms with contraceptive foam or sexual abstinence). 10. Fluent in English and able to read. 11. Able to perform all study activities (including walking tasks and timed up and go) 12. Willingness and ability to comply with study requirements. Cohort 1 (PD Participants) Exclusion Criteria 1. A diagnosis of atypical parkinsonism, drug-induced parkinsonism, essential tremor, primary dystonia or other diagnoses that explain symptoms other than PD. 2. History of PD-related freezing episodes or falls. 3. A diagnosis of a significant CNS disease other than PD; history of repeated head injury; history of epilepsy or seizure disorder other than febrile seizures as a child that would interfere with ability to perform study assessments. 4. History of a brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan indicative of clinically significant abnormality as determined by the investigator. 5. Concomitant disease, condition, medication, or laboratory abnormality that, in the opinion of the investigator, could interfere with study conduct or analysis, or pose an unacceptable risk to the participant. This could include neurologic, orthopedic or cardiovascular diseases. 6. Has taken levodopa, dopamine agonists, MAO B inhibitors, amantadine, anticholinergics or other medication for the treatment of PD or tremor within 60 days prior to baseline, or for more than a total of 60 days. 7. Is taking medication for the treatment of tremor at the baseline visit. If taking medication for tremor at the screening visit, this medication must be stopped at least 14 days prior to baseline. If taking a tremor medication for another indication (e.g. hypertension, neuropathy), the medication can be continued during the study. 8. For subjects taking any drugs that might interfere with dopamine transporter SPECT imaging (modafinil, bupropion, methylphenidate, neuroleptics, metoclopramide, alpha methyldopa, reserpine, or amphetamine derivative) must be willing and able from a medical standpoint to withhold the medication for at least 14 days prior to screening DaTscan imaging. 9. Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score \< 24 at screening. 10. Is pregnant (or is planning to become pregnant during the study period) or lactating (includes a negative urine (or serum if required by site) pregnancy test on day of screening scan prior to injection of DaTscanTM 11. Known hypersensitivity to DaTscanTM or any of its excipients 12. Body habitus that would impede completion of DaTscanTM (subject weight above 158 kg should be discussed with the Clinical Monitor) 13. Resides in a nursing home or assisted care facility. 14. Use of investigational drugs (other than imaging agents) or devices (other than mobile/wearable devices used in this study) within 60 days or 5 half-lives of study agent prior to baseline and during the study period. Cohort 2 (Control Participants) Inclusion Criteria: 1. Able to give written informed consent, as determined by the investigator. 2. Male or female age 30 years or older 3. Fluent in English and able to read. 4. Able to perform all study activities (including walking tasks and timed up and go) 5. Willingness and ability to comply with study requirements. Cohort 2 (Control Participants) Exclusion Criteria: 1. A diagnosis of atypical parkinsonism, drug-induced parkinsonism, essential tremor, primary dystonia or other diagnoses that explain symptoms other than PD. 2. History of PD-related freezing episodes or falls. 3. A diagnosis of a significant CNS disease other than PD; history of repeated head injury; history of epilepsy or seizure disorder other than febrile seizures as a child that would interfere with ability to perform study assessments. 4. History of a brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan indicative of clinically significant abnormality as determined by the investigator. 5. Concomitant disease, condition, medication, or laboratory abnormality that, in the opinion of the investigator, could interfere with study conduct or analysis, or pose an unacceptable risk to the participant. This could include neurologic, orthopedic or cardiovascular diseases. 6. Has taken levodopa, dopamine agonists, MAO B inhibitors, amantadine, anticholinergics or other medication for the treatment of PD or tremor within 60 days prior to baseline, or for more than a total of 60 days. 7. Is taking medication for the treatment of tremor at the baseline visit. If taking medication for tremor at the screening visit, this medication must be stopped at least 14 days prior to baseline. If taking a tremor medication for another indication (e.g. hypertension, neuropathy), the medication can be continued during the study. 8. Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score \< 24 at screening. 9. Resides in a nursing home or assisted care facility. 10. Use of investigational drugs (other than imaging agents) or devices (other than mobile/wearable devices used in this study) within 60 days or 5 half-lives of study agent prior to baseline and during the study period. 11. Is pregnant (or is planning to become pregnant during the study period) or lactating.
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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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Banner Sun Research Institute
Sun City, Arizona, 85351, United States
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Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
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Cleveland Clinic Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada, 89106, United States
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NYU Langone Health
New York, New York, 10017, United States
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Northwell Health
Great Neck, New York, 11021, United States
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Northwestern University
Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States
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Oregon Health and Science University
Portland, Oregon, 97239, United States
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Sentara Clinical Research
Virginia Beach, Virginia, 23456, United States
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University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
Cleveland, Ohio, 44106, United States
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University of California San Francisco
San Francisco, California, 94115, United States
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University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio, 45219, United States
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University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, Colorado, 80045, United States
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University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, United States
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University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107, United States
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University of Rochester
Rochester, New York, 14620, United States
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University of South Florida
Tampa, Florida, 33613, United States
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Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, Virginia, 23284, United States
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