Could a common ADHD drug help Parkinson's patients walk better?
NCT ID NCT02879136
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This pilot study tested whether adding a low dose of methylphenidate (Ritalin) or atomoxetine (Strattera) to standard physical therapy improves gait and balance in people with Parkinson's disease more than physical therapy alone. 23 participants were randomly assigned to one of the two drugs plus therapy, or therapy alone. The study measured changes in balance and walking speed over time.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- methylphenidate (Ritalin) and atomoxetine (Strattera)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a way to improve walking and balance in Parkinson's disease by combining medication with physical therapy.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early pilot study with only 23 people, so results may not apply widely. The medications can cause side effects like increased heart rate or anxiety, and the combination may not work better than therapy alone.
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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Early phase 1
The earliest testing in people: a first look at safety, in a very small group.
- Participants
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23 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jan 2017
- Finished
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Dec 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 90 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.
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: * Patients with PD having significant balance or gait disorder with a score ≥2 in the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) 3.10 item 'independent walking but with substantial gait impairment; not related to off periods' occurring despite satisfactory motor control by dopaminergic therapy, with a medication regimen unlikely to change in the next 30 days. Exclusion Criteria: * Previous participation in PD-specific PT. * Presence of signs and symptoms suggestive of atypical parkinsonism. * Concomitant conditions that may affect significantly the evaluation of balance or gait, including orthopedic, rheumatologic or other neurological diseases. * Contraindication for physical therapy * Comorbidities that contraindicate the use of the methylphenidate or atomoxetine: history of substance abuse, current severe anxiety, depression or psychosis, epilepsy, hyperthyroidism, glaucoma, cardiac arrhythmia, history of Tourette syndrome, hepatic disease, allergy to methylphenidate or atomoxetine. * Concurrent use of MAO inhibitors, or use in the last two weeks. * Previous deep brain stimulation procedure. * Punctuation of 5 in Hoehn and Yard modified scale: 'Wheelchair bound or bedridden unless aided'.
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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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Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland, Ohio, 44195, United States