Optimizing Vibrational Therapy to Improve Gait and Balance in Parkinson's Disease

The purpose of this research study is to test the safety, tolerability, and the effect of vibration (delivered by an experimental device called PDVibe2) on freezing of gait (FOG) in persons with Parkinson's disease (PD). The PDVibe2 was developed by Resonate Forward, LLC (RF). This PDVibe2 was designed to administer vibration therapy to the wearer to improve gait and balance in persons with PD while wearing the device.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Parkinson Disease
• Intervention / Treatment: Device: Vibration Session; Device: No vibration session

Detailed Description

Enrolled patients with Parkinson's disease, Hoehn and Yahr Stage 2, will be randomized to receive either vibration or no vibration and then will be crossed over to receive the opposite intervention. The study will consist of two treatment periods of two days followed by a washout period of 2 weeks. Each treatment period will consist of four treatments within 2 days, no more than 2 sessions in one day.

Patients will participate in an additional day for screening and another for follow-up (6 days total). All visits will occur at the Virginia Commonwealth University Parkinson's Movement and Disorders Center in Richmond, VA. Participants will be asked to walk for a brief period of time while wearing the PDVibe2. The PDVibe2 will provide vibration therapy and study staff will measure the number of "freezes" before, during and after therapy. Participants will be asked to provide feedback on the device, the therapy session, and how they are feeling.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 12
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Virginia
    • Richmond, Virginia, United States, 23298
      • Virginia Commonwealth University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 21 years to 95 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion criteria:

• age 21 years or older
• PD diagnosed by a movement disorder specialist for 3 months or longer prior to recruitment
• PD medication regimen is stable over the last 3 months with no changes
• Hoehn & Yahr stage 2 (N = 13)
• able to walk independently or with a simple assistive device (e.g., cane, walker)
• observed by the research team to have PD related gait disturbance such as FOG, shortened or irregular stride lengths, irregular step cadence, slowed speed while on their regular treatment regimen.

Exclusion Criteria:

• diagnosed with a known Parkinson plus syndrome
• were previously exposed to vibration treatment for gait and balance
• presence of dementia (Montreal Cognitive Assessment < 21)
• additional disorders (not related to PD)impairing gait, stance, balance or coordination (e.g. stroke, leg amputations, or multiple sclerosis)
• history of implantable cardiac device or any other implanted electronic device except a deep brain stimulator (DBS)
• use of braces/orthotics that assist with walking
• are currently in physical therapy (PT) treatment for balance or gait
• peripheral neuropathy by exam
• any condition that, in the opinion of the PIs, would compromise participant safety, data integrity, or data interpretation.
• Children under the age of 18
• Prisoners
• Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant during the course of this study since the safety of this device for an unborn child is unknown.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: Triple

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Vibration first then no vibration; A session with PDVibe2 vibration turned on first, followed by (after a 2 week washout period) a session with PDVibe2 vibration turned off. The two arms both get a session with the PDVibe2 vibration turned on and turned off, but the order is reversed depending on the arm.	Device: Vibration Session; The PDVibe2 is owned by Resonate Forward, LLC and will be loaned to Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) for this project. The device is non-invasive, lightweight, untethered, contains a rechargeable battery, and is worn on both feet and ankles. PDVibe2 delivers vibration when activated by an easy to access switch on the device or by remote. The internal circuitry has been miniaturized, is encased in a small box, and is attached to the ankle using a soft flexible band.; Other Names: VibeForward (PDVibe2); Device: No vibration session; The PDVibe2 is owned by Resonate Forward, LLC and will be loaned to Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) for this project. The device is non-invasive, lightweight, untethered, contains a rechargeable battery, and is worn on both feet and ankles. During this session, PDVibe2 delivers no vibration but is still worn. The internal circuitry has been miniaturized, is encased in a small box, and is attached to the ankle using a soft flexible band.; Other Names: VibeForward (PDVibe2)
Experimental: No vibration first then vibration; A session with PDVibe2 vibration turned off first, followed by (after a 2 week washout period) a session with PDVibe2 vibration turned on. The two arms both get a session with the PDVibe2 vibration turned on and turned off, but the order is reversed depending on the arm.	Device: Vibration Session; The PDVibe2 is owned by Resonate Forward, LLC and will be loaned to Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) for this project. The device is non-invasive, lightweight, untethered, contains a rechargeable battery, and is worn on both feet and ankles. PDVibe2 delivers vibration when activated by an easy to access switch on the device or by remote. The internal circuitry has been miniaturized, is encased in a small box, and is attached to the ankle using a soft flexible band.; Other Names: VibeForward (PDVibe2); Device: No vibration session; The PDVibe2 is owned by Resonate Forward, LLC and will be loaned to Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) for this project. The device is non-invasive, lightweight, untethered, contains a rechargeable battery, and is worn on both feet and ankles. During this session, PDVibe2 delivers no vibration but is still worn. The internal circuitry has been miniaturized, is encased in a small box, and is attached to the ankle using a soft flexible band.; Other Names: VibeForward (PDVibe2)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Functional Ambulation Profile (FAP) Score	The Functional Ambulation Profile (FAP) score is the gold standard for spatiotemporal gait parameter analysis. For this study, it will be mean calculated by participants walking on the Zeno walkway, which will measure the patient's physical measurements, step length, step time and degree of symmetry., dynamic base of support and the use of ambulatory aids are factored into the score. The Zeno instrumented walkway (PKMAS) is a 20-foot computerized walkway containing sensor pads. A full FAP (Functional Ambulation Profile) score is calculated by deducting points from a maximum score of 100 and the minimum is a 0, with points being subtracted based on deviations from normal gait patterns observed during a self-selected velocity walking trial; essentially, a higher score (closer to 100) indicates closer to normal gait function while a lower score (closer to 0) represents greater gait impairments. No subscales. This is reported as the mean of the two scores for each session aggregated.	Throughout study completion, from 9 to 34 days.
Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS)	The "Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale" (MDS-UPDRS),will be used to assess the total burden of motor Parkinson Disease (PD) symptoms and impact on activities of daily living. There are four sections to this scale and all sections use a scale of 0-4 ratings: 0 (normal), 1 (slight), 2 (mild), 3 (moderate), and 4 (severe)lower scores are better and indicate less disability. Part II: 13 items about Activities of Daily Living, score range 0-52. Part III: 18 items PD motor signs, score range is 0-72, Each item has 0-4 ratings: 0 (normal), 1 (slight), 2 (mild), 3 (moderate), and 4 (severe). Part IV: 6 items, assesses dyskinesia (excessive motion) and motor fluctuations (medication is working or not), range is 0-24. Parts II-IV total scores. This is reported as the mean of the scores for each session aggregated. The smaller the overall number (closer to 0), the less disability and the greater the number (closer to 148) the greater the disability.	Throughout study completion, from 9 to 34 days.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test	The Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test is a one-item performance test. The participant starts by sitting in a chair, then stand up, walk 3 meters, turn around, walk back, and sit down. Participants are timed in seconds. TUG is used to identify/screen elderly individuals who are prone to falls. Lower times/measured in seconds is better. The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test is scored based on the time it takes to complete the test, in seconds: < 10 seconds: Normal < 20 seconds: Good mobility, can walk outside alone, no walking aid needed < 30 seconds: Walking and balance problems, cannot walk outside alone, walking aid needed So less than 10 seconds would be normal and 30 seconds or more may indicate a higher risk of falling. This is reported as the mean of the scores for each session aggregated.	Throughout study completion, between 9 to 34 days.
Berg Balance Scale (BBS)	The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) assesses balance via performing 14 functional activities. Each item is scored along a 5-point scale, ranging from 0 to 4. Zero indicates the lowest level of function and 4 the highest level of function. The total score is a summation or total of all items and ranges from 0 to 56. Higher scores indicate less risk of falls. A cutoff score of 45 has been traditionally identified as a useful cutoff to predict falls in those who scored below the cutoff score. It is a 14 item list with each item consisting of a five-point ordinal scale ranging from 0 to 4, with 0 indicating the lowest level of function and 4 the highest level of function and takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. So the closer to 0, the least function and the closer to 56, the more function a subject would have. This is reported as the mean of the scores for each session aggregated.	Throughout study completion, between 9 to 34 days.
New Freezing of Gait Questionnaire (nFOG-Q)	The New Freezing of Gait Questionnaire (nFOG-Q) is a six-item questionnaire that uses a 5-point scale that ranges from 0 = absence of symptoms to 4 = most severe stage. The total score ranges from 0 to 24; higher scores (closer to 24) correspond to more severe and lower scores (closer to 0) have fewer symptoms on the New Freezing of Gait Questionnaire (nFOG-Q). To objectively assess FOG severity, Parkinson's disease (PD) subjects are asked to perform brief and standardized FOG-provoking tasks in clinical centers. Common tasks include timed-up-and-go (TUG), 180 or 360 degrees turning while walking and 360-degree turning-in-place (360Turn). This is reported as the mean of the scores for each session aggregated.	Throughout study completion, between 9 to 34 days.
Fall Efficacy Scale - International	The Fall Efficacy Scale - International includes 16 items assessing fear of falling in different scenarios, in a community-dwelling older population. Individuals are instructed to rate each activity on a four-point Likert scale, depending on how concerned they are that they may fall when performing certain activities. Items are scored from 1 = Not at all concerned to 4 = very concerned. The total score ranges from 16 - 64. The higher the score (the closer to 64) the greater the fear of falling by the subject and the lower the score (closer to 16) the less fear of falling by the subject using the Fall Efficacy Scale - International. This is reported as the mean of the scores for each session aggregated.	Throughout study completion, between 9 to 34 days

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Virginia Commonwealth University
• Collaborators: Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Ingrid Pretzer-Aboff, PhD, RN, Virginia Commonwealth University; Principal Investigator: Leslie Cloud, MD, Virginia Commonwealth University Health System

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): June 29, 2021
• Primary Completion (Actual): January 11, 2022
• Study Completion (Actual): January 11, 2022

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 18, 2019
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 18, 2019
• First Posted (Actual): March 20, 2019

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 16, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 12, 2026
• Last Verified: March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Balance; Gait
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Synucleinopathies; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Movement Disorders; Parkinsonian Disorders; Basal Ganglia Diseases; Parkinson Disease
• Other Study ID Numbers: HM20015593

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: Yes
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No