Wearable gadget aims to improve walking for millions with movement disorders
NCT ID NCT05913219
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This completed study tested a smart wearable device called gaitQ that monitors and cues walking in people with long-term movement conditions like Parkinson's, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and arthritis. Researchers collected movement data from 98 participants in a lab to see if the device improves step length, speed, and reduces freezing episodes. The goal was to refine the product and prepare for market entry, not to prove a cure.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- gaitQ smart wearable device
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this device could help people with movement disorders walk better in daily life, potentially reducing falls and improving independence.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study focused on device development and validation, not a large clinical trial. The device may not work for everyone or in real-world settings.
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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98 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Sep 2023
- Finished
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Feb 2026
- 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
The study population for the research will include individuals with long-term conditions affecting movement (such as Parkinson's disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, or osteoporosis), healthy controls, and individuals with hip and knee replacements. The inclusion criteria for people with long-term conditions require participants to have a diagnosis of the specified conditions, self-report gait issues, be able to walk unsupported or with aid for at least 3 minutes, and meet certain vision and cognitive assessment criteria. The age requirement is 18 years or older. Participants should not have any physical or mental conditions affecting their ability to safely participate or understand the study, including cognitive impairment or balance-affecting disorders.
- Ages
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18 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.
Eligibility Criteria This research will investigate the impact of the gaitQ product on a sufficiently large cohort of PwP, healthy controls and other potential conditions such as stroke and hip and knee replacements. Inclusion criteria * Participants with long-term conditions affecting movement * Diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (UK Brain Bank Criteria) or other appropriate condition-specific scales \[stroke, multiple sclerosis, arthritis or osteoporosis\] * Able to self-report history of daily gait freezing and/or festination for people with PD or gait affected by condition * Able to walk unsupported or using an aid for at least 3 minutes and satisfactory completion of the Canadian PARQ and if over 69 used to carry out this level of exercise * Adult (+18 years old) * Normal or corrected-to-normal vision (Snellen Visual Acuity \> 12/18) or safe to mobilise with support * Montreal Cognitive assessment score \>21 or ability to follow 2-stage commands * Healthy participants * With no long-term conditions affecting movement * Able to walk unsupported or using an aid for at least 3 minutes and satisfactory completion of the Canadian PARQ and if over 69 used to carrying out this level of exercise * Adult (+18 years old) * Normal or corrected-to-normal vision (Snellen Visual Acuity \> 12/18) or safe to mobilise with support * Montreal Cognitive assessment score \>21 or ability to follow 2 stage commands 7.1.2 Exclusion criteria * Participants with long-term conditions affecting movement * Any physical or mental condition affecting the ability to safely participate in this level of activity and capacity to understand testing as demonstrated by ability to safely follow commands and pass the PARQ by the research team. * Cognitive impairment affecting the ability to safely participate and follow instructions * Any injury or disorder that may affect balance (other than Parkinson's or referring primary condition) * Any skin conditions or broken skin in the calf and behind the knee area * Deep brain stimulation or pacemaker implants or other implants that may interfere with the measurement system * Healthy participants * Any physical or mental condition affecting the ability to safely participate in this level of activity and capacity to understand testing as demonstrated by the ability to safely follow commands and pass the PARQ by the research team. * Cognitive impairment affecting the ability to safely participate and follow instructions * Any injury or disorder that may affect balance (other than Parkinson's or referring primary condition) * Any skin conditions or broken skin in the calf and behind the knee area * Deep brain stimulation or pacemaker implants or other implants that may interfere with the measurement system
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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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University of Exeter
Exeter, EX1 2LU, United Kingdom
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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