Clinical Research Directory

Artificial Intelligence-based Parkinson's Disease Risk Assessment (AI-PRA) Study

The study aims to provide initial proof-of-concept validation data of an artificial intelligence-based model to estimate individual Parkinson's disease risk using demographic, clinical, genetic information and digital biomarker data collected via a smartwatch and a mobile application.

Effect of Motor Imagery Added to Rehabilitation on Balance and Kinesiophobia in Patients With Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a progressive brain disorder that affects movement and balance. It can cause slowed movements, stiffness, tremor, balance problems, and an increased risk of falling. Many individuals with PD develop fear of movement, also referred to as kinesiophobia, and fear of falling. This condition may lead to avoidance of physical activity, which can further worsen balance and movement abilities. This study aims to determine whether adding Motor Imagery (MI) to a standard rehabilitation program can improve balance and reduce fear of movement in individuals with PD. MI is a mental practice technique in which an individual rehearses movements cognitively without actual physical execution. For example, a person may imagine standing up, walking, or climbing stairs. Although the movement is not physically performed, the brain regions involved in movement are activated. MI is safe, does not require special equipment, and may help improve motor control. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive standard physical therapy and rehabilitation exercises, while the other group will receive the same therapy combined with additional MI training. The rehabilitation program will last six weeks. The study will primarily evaluate whether this combined approach improves balance and reduces fear of movement. In addition, the potential effects of the intervention on fall risk, functional mobility and performance, fear of falling, activities of daily living, and motor function will also be examined. Assessments will be performed at the beginning of the study, at the end of treatment, and again at 12 weeks. Researchers hope to determine whether combining MI with conventional rehabilitation provides greater benefits than conventional rehabilitation alone and may help improve rehabilitation strategies for people living with PD.

Virtual Reality on Balance of Parkinson's Disease

This study, titled: Effectiveness of immersive virtual reality on balance in people with Parkinson's disease. Is a randomized clinical trial conducted at Zaragoza Parkinson's Association in Spain. It aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a immersive virtual reality program in enhancing balance for patients with Parkinson.s disease (PD). PD is a neurodegenerative disease that has a major impact on patients' balance and gait, affecting their quality of life. Physical rehabilitation is crucial for maintaining and improving balance, and immersive virtual reality promises to be an alternative for improving outcomes in patients with PD.

Which Tools Better Predict Fall Risk in Parkinson's Disease: A Comparative Study of Objective, Self-Reported, and Functional Balance Assessment

Introduction: Falls are common in Parkinson's disease (PD), affecting 30-90% of patients annually, with more than half experiencing recurrent falls. Identifying balance assessment tools that are both practical and predictive of fall risk is therefore essential. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between fall frequency and three balance assessment tools: the Biodex Balance System (objective), the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) (self-reported), and the Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest) (functional). Methods: Patients with PD at Hoehn and Yahr stages 1-3 will be included in the study. Fall data will be collected using a fall diary, while objective balance will be assessed with the Biodex Balance System, functional performance will be evaluated with the Mini-BESTest, and self-reported balance confidence will be measured with the FES-I.

The Effect of Bottle PEP Exercise on Expiratory Muscle Thickness, Strength, and Balance Parameters in Parkinson's Disease Patients

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by rigidity, tremor, postural instability, bradykinesia, and autonomic dysfunction. It is a common movement disorder worldwide. Motor impairments in PD patients are not limited to the muscles of the extremities; the neck, upper respiratory tract, and respiratory muscles are also affected. The resulting pulmonary dysfunction is one of the main factors contributing to morbidity and mortality in PD patients. Respiratory muscle exercise programs have been used to improve lung and swallowing function in patients with Parkinson's disease and other similar neurodegenerative disorders. Studies of inspiratory muscle exercise in Parkinson's patients have reported improvements in inspiratory muscle strength and endurance. Similarly, expiratory muscle exercise protocols have been shown to increase maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) and cough effectiveness. However, studies on expiratory muscle strengthening are lacking in the literature. Positive expiratory pressure (PEP) devices are used to clear airway secretions and feature a resistance that provides resistance during exhalation. This creates a positive pressure that stabilizes the airways during exhalation and prevents airway collapse. Although there are many PEP devices available on the market, the bottle-PEP, a therapist-made device, is used because it can be produced easily and at low cost. The bottle-PEP device consists of a bottle filled with at least 10 cm of water and a tube placed inside the bottle. Although information on strengthening expiratory muscles is traditionally found in the literature, there is no data in the literature on the effect of bottle-PEP use on expiratory muscle strength, especially in Parkinson's patients. A review of the literature shows that the effect of expiratory strengthening on balance has not been studied before. This study aimed to demonstrate the effects of the bottle-PEP device, used in addition to expiratory muscle strengthening, on expiratory muscle thickness, strength, and balance.

Probing Gut-Brain Communication in Parkinson's Disease

Administering transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation in patients with Parkinson's disease to see how it affects stomach and brain activity.

Daily Amino Acid Supplementation for People With Parkinson's Disease

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a tailored amino acid supplement works to help adults living with Parkinson's disease to improve nutrition, metabolic function, body composition, and physical and mental function. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does the tailored amino acid supplement increase essential amino acids (nutritional status)? Does the tailored amino acid supplement increase an antioxidant (complex amino acid) and decrease an amino acid associated with oxidative stress? Does the tailored amino acid supplement improve physical and mental health compared to a placebo supplement? Researchers will compare the tailored amino acid supplement to a placebo (a look-alike substance that contains no active ingredients) to see if the tailored amino acid supplements work to support health for people with Parkinson's disease. Participants will: Take the tailored amino acid supplement or a placebo every day for 6 months, visit the lab at baseline, after 3 months, and after 6 months for fasting blood draws, body composition assessment, and physical and mental health testing and keep a diary of their food intake and supplement intake.

18F-mFBG Cardiac Uptake With Lewy Body Dementia

This is a Phase 2 study evaluating the positron-emitting radiopharmaceutical 18F-mFBG as an imaging agent for quantification of the effect of neurodegenerative diseases on myocardial sympathetic innervation. Effectiveness of 18F-mFBG imaging of the heart will be judged in terms of the quantitative difference between results for subjects with Lewy body and non-Lewy body neurologic disease as compared to historical data for healthy control subjects.

rTMS and Olfactory Training for Parkinson's Disease

Background: Olfactory and gustatory impairments are common clinical manifestations in patients with neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson's disease. These chemosensory deficits significantly impact the quality of life, often preceding motor symptoms. Currently, there is a need for effective non-invasive interventions to improve sensory recovery. Objective: The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) combined with olfactory training in restoring chemosensory function. We aim to determine whether this combined approach provides superior outcomes compared to individual therapies or standard care. Methods: This clinical trial involves 120 patients diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Participants will be randomized into four groups to receive either combined rTMS and olfactory training, isolated rTMS, isolated olfactory training, or a control intervention. The recovery of olfactory function will be measured using validated sensory testing tools (such as Sniffin' Sticks) and Electrogustometry (EGM) to assess neural pathway improvement. Conclusion/Significance: This study aims to provide evidence-based insights into non-invasive neurological rehabilitation for chemosensory dysfunction. The findings may help optimize personalized treatment protocols for patients suffering from sensory impairment, potentially enhancing their overall cognitive and sensory quality of life.

Cognitive-Based Balance Rehabilitation in Parkinson's Disease: Virtual Reality vs. Dual Task

This prospective, randomized, single-blind, controlled clinical trial aims to evaluate and compare the efficacy of cognitive-based balance rehabilitation delivered via immersive Virtual Reality (VR) versus traditional Dual-Task Training (DTT) on balance, gait, cognitive functions, and quality of life in patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD). Postural instability and cognitive decline are hallmark features of progressive PD that significantly elevate fall risks and compromise daily independence, yet conventional pharmacological therapies offer limited effectiveness in restoring complex postural control. Given that motor and cognitive processes are intrinsically linked, this study addresses a critical gap in neurorehabilitation by investigating two contemporary modalities designed to challenge these systems simultaneously. A total of 34 participants diagnosed with PD (aged 40-80 years, Hoehn and Yahr stages I-III) will be randomly allocated to either the Dual-Task Group (DTG), receiving structured therapeutic exercises integrated with sequential cognitive tasks, or the Virtual Reality Group (VRG), engaging in an immersive balance program utilizing the Oculus Quest 2® headset with the FIT-XR application. Both groups will undergo an identical intervention protocol consisting of 45-minute supervised sessions, conducted twice weekly for 8 consecutive weeks during their pharmacological "on" phase. Standardized assessments will be performed by a blinded clinician at baseline and post-intervention (Week 8). The primary outcome measures will be dynamic balance and gait assessed through the Mini-Balance Evaluations Systems Test (Mini-BESTest) alongside global cognitive performance measured via the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Secondary outcomes will encompass objective posturographic indices using the Biodex Balance System, motor severity via the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS-III), freezing of gait, health-related quality of life, global perceived improvement, and potential cyber-sickness symptoms monitored through the Virtual Reality Sickness Questionnaire (VRSQ) to comprehensively determine the safety and comparative therapeutic value of these interventions.

D-SPARK: A Clinical Trial of D-Serine for Modifying Parkinson's Disease Progression

This clinical study, designed as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, aims to investigate if modulation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) via its co-agonist D-serine has therapeutic benefits in Parkinson's disease (PD). All patients will receive both placebo and D-serine over different time periods during the study. Preclinical studies have shown that blocking glycine transporters, which elevates endogenous glycine levels, can restore NMDAR function and improve motor deficits in PD models. A clinical trial demonstrated that oral D-serine (30 mg/kg/day for 6 weeks) significantly reduced extrapyramidal and abnormal involuntary movements in PD patients compared to placebo, with improvements observed in both motor and non-motor symptoms. D-serine supplementation has shown an acceptable safety profile with doses up to 120 mg/kg showing no significant adverse effects in clinical studies. The D-SPARK trial primarily aims to determine the efficacy of D-serine supplementation on clinical severity of PD as measured by the Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS). Secondary aims are to determine the efficacy of D-serine supplementation on improving dopaminergic nigrostriatal innervation as measured by single-photon emission tomography (SPECT) based imaging of the dopamine transporter (DaT-scan) and cognition as measured by the California Verbal Learning Test version 2 (CLVT-II). The study will include 100 persons with Parkinson's disease (PwPD) diagnosed no longer than 5 years before baseline. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive D-Serine 4000 mg daily or placebo for defined periods of time during a 58 week treatment period, followed by a 12 week washout period. Participants will undergo: * Clinical evaluations, including clinical rating scales and questionnaires. * Cognitive assessments. * Bio sampling of whole blood and blood plasma. * Single-photon emission tomography (SPECT) imaging of dopamine transporter levels (DaT-scan) The outcomes of this study could potentially demonstrate that D-serine reduces symptom severity in Parkinson's disease and/or has an impact on the clinical trajectory of Parkinson's disease, benefiting persons living with Parkinson's disease, their families and society as a whole.

Behavioral Intervention for Lifestyle Physical Activity in Parkinson's Disease

The investigators propose a Stage-I randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a remotely-delivered, 16-week social-cognitive theory-based behavioral intervention focusing on combined exercise (aerobic and resistance) training for yielding increases in device-measured physical activity and improvements in cognitive function, symptoms, and quality of life (QOL), and social-cognitive theory (SCT) outcomes among physically inactive persons with Parkinson's disease (PD). Participants (N=50) will be randomly assigned into exercise training (combined aerobic and resistance exercise) condition or active control (flexibility and stretching) condition. The 16-week intervention will be delivered and monitored remotely within a participant\'s home/community and supported by Zoom-based chats guided by SCT via a behavioral coach. Participants will receive training materials (e.g., prescriptive manual and exercise equipment), one-on-one coaching, action-planning via calendars, self-monitoring via logs, and SCT-based newsletters. The investigators hypothesize that the home-based exercise intervention will yield improvements in cognitive, symptomatic, and QOL outcomes.

Effects of Dual-Task Training on Upper Extremity Function in Parkinson's Disease

The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate the effects of dual-task training on upper extremity function and muscle thickness in individuals with Parkinson's disease. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does dual-task training improve upper extremity function in individuals with Parkinson's disease? Does dual-task training lead to changes in upper extremity muscle thickness measured by ultrasonography? Researchers will compare a dual-task training group with a control group receiving routine care to determine whether 8 weeks of dual-task training results in greater improvements in upper extremity outco Participants will: complete baseline and post-intervention assessments of upper extremity function, muscle thickness, grip strength, and pinch strength be assigned to either a control group or a dual-task training group receive dual-task training 3 days per week for 8 weeks if assigned to the intervention group

Developing Precision Microbiota-Based Cocktail Modification Therapy to Delay the Progression of Parkinson's Disease (PD) - Use Preclinical Human Trials to Confirm the Impact of the Optimal "Probiotic Y7, Tryptophan and Branched-chain Amino Acid" Cocktail Formula on Early Stage PD Patients

Preclinical human trials will be utilized to validate the research direction, followed by clinical trials to assess the impact of a cocktail formula product containing the optimal probiotic Y7 combined metabolites on motor, cognitive, and non-motor functions in early Parkinson's disease patients. The study aims to recruit 120 patients (stage 1-3) and employ a two-arm, randomized controlled trial (RCT) design, dividing subjects into intervention and control groups for a 12 weeks trial period. Commercial development will be contingent upon the clinical trial outcomes, evaluating whether the product offers clinical benefits such as delaying Parkinson's disease progression in motor, cognitive, and non-motor functions. Additionally, a personalized and precise prognosis prediction model for Parkinson's disease will be established. This model will gather comprehensive clinical data, including motor function assessments (functional tests, UPDRS), biochemical markers, questionnaire responses, and genotype data (TPM array), as well as metabolite and microbial data. Through integrated analysis of this biological information using machine learning techniques, a personalized and accurate prognosis prediction model for Parkinson's disease will be developed. This model will predict the disease status of PD patients 12 weeks later, accounting for factors such as cocktail therapy. The results will empower PD patients to understand their individual disease progression and treatment prognosis, enabling them to prepare accordingly. Moreover, this model will aid researchers in identifying patient profiles more likely to benefit from treatment, thereby enhancing the evaluation of the efficacy and applicability of cocktail therapy.

A Multimodal Convergent Cohort of Parkinson's Disease at FJMUUH (FJMUUH-PD): Natural History Study

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder in middle-aged and elderly individuals, with a global incidence of 2.0% among adults aged 65 and over. Its pathogenesis remains unclear, and effective preventive and therapeutic approaches are lacking. PD severely impairs patients' physical and mental health and quality of life, while also imposing a substantial burden on families and society. This study will enroll patients with idiopathic PD diagnosed in the Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, from 2026 to 2036 to establish a research cohort. Using a non-interventional design, participants will undergo long-term follow-up through regular clinical visits, scale-based assessments, imaging examinations, and biological specimen testing. Corresponding data will be collected to build a research platform, aiming to clarify the pattern of disease progression and identify early diagnostic biomarkers. All testing methods are safe and reliable and will not pose additional risks to patients. This study will be conducted in strict compliance with ethical requirements. Prior to enrollment, patients will be fully informed of the study details and will voluntarily provide written informed consent. To mitigate the risk of privacy disclosure, measures including coded management, data encryption, and access restriction will be implemented throughout the study to protect participants' privacy, safeguard their legitimate rights and interests, avoid additional financial burdens, and ensure the study is conducted in a standardized manner. I hereby pledge to protect the personal privacy of all study participants and respect their autonomy. The study will be conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and the Ethical Review Measures for Life Sciences and Medical Research Involving Human Subjects.

Robot-Assisted Gait Training vs NMES in Parkinson's Disease

This prospective, randomized, assessor-blinded clinical trial aims to compare the effects of robot-assisted gait training and quadriceps neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) when added to a standard exercise rehabilitation program in patients with Parkinson disease. Participants will be randomly assigned to two parallel groups. Both groups will receive a standard rehabilitation program, while one group will additionally undergo robot-assisted gait training and the other group will receive quadriceps NMES. The interventions will be administered five days per week for six weeks. Clinical outcomes, including balance, functional mobility, gait performance, and disease severity, will be evaluated at baseline, post-treatment, and follow-up (week 14). In addition, ultrasound-based assessments of quadriceps muscle thickness and cross-sectional area will be performed to investigate muscle adaptations. The results of this study are expected to provide comparative evidence regarding the effectiveness of these two rehabilitation approaches and contribute to optimizing rehabilitation strategies in Parkinson disease.

EMG of Gait Under Dual-Task in Parkinson Desease

In this observational study embedded within a randomized controlled trial, the investigators aim to characterize the activation patterns of the tibialis anterior and medial gastrocnemius muscles in the more rigid leg of patients with Parkinson's disease when performing walking tasks under dual cognitive-task conditions, which are known to increase the risk of falls in this population. To this end, a control group without neurological disorders and with comparable sociodemographic characteristics will also be assessed. The study seeks to determine whether significant changes occur in forward and backward gait as a function of the dual-task condition.

Changes in Movement, Fitness, and Quality of Life in People With Parkinson's Disease After Different Exercise Programs

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurological condition that can affect movement, balance, endurance, and overall quality of life. Exercise is widely recognized as one of the most effective non-pharmacological treatments to help people with PD maintain function and independence. However, not all exercise programs produce the same results, and more research is needed to understand which types of exercise offer the greatest physical and physiological benefits. This study is designed to examine how different types of structured exercise programs influence motor function, cardiorespiratory fitness, and markers of overall health in individuals with Parkinson's disease. The goal is to better understand how exercise can be used to improve movement, daily activities, and general well-being, as well as how it affects the body at a physiological level. Participants will be adults diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinson's disease who are medically stable and able to safely participate in exercise. Before beginning the study, participants will complete screening procedures to ensure safety and eligibility. Eligible participants will then be assigned to one of several supervised exercise interventions conducted over a defined period. Each exercise program is designed to improve movement and function but differs in structure or training emphasis (for example, aerobic, functional, or task-specific activity). Exercise sessions will take place under the supervision of licensed physical therapist. Each session will include warm-up, exercise, and cool-down components. Intensity will be monitored using heart rate and perceived exertion to ensure safety and appropriate challenge. Participants will attend sessions multiple times per week for 8 weeks. Researchers will collect information about movement abilities, balance, walking, endurance, and daily function using standardized physical therapy assessments such as gait tests, balance measures, and questionnaires related to quality of life at baseline, after 8-weeks of intervention and once more after a 4-week follow-up. In addition, blood samples will be collected to analyze physiological responses to exercise at the same 3 testing intervals. These samples will allow investigators to measure biomarkers related to cardiovascular health, nitric oxide availability, oxidative stress, and inflammation. These biological indicators can help identify how exercise affects underlying health mechanisms that may contribute to improved function in people with Parkinson's disease. All data will be collected by trained research personnel who are experienced in working with individuals with Parkinson's disease. Participants will be monitored for safety at each session, and any adverse events will be documented and reviewed by the principal investigator and the Institutional Review Board (IRB). By comparing changes across the different exercise programs, this study aims to determine which interventions have the most meaningful impact on mobility, endurance, and quality of life, as well as which ones produce measurable physiological benefits. Results from this research may help guide physical therapists, rehabilitation professionals, and people with Parkinson's disease in choosing the most effective exercise approaches for maintaining function and promoting overall health. Ultimately, this project seeks to contribute to the growing evidence that targeted, engaging, and appropriately dosed exercise can play a key role in improving the lives of people living with Parkinson's disease. The findings may also help inform future clinical practice guidelines, community exercise programs, and long-term wellness strategies for individuals with movement disorders.

A Trial to Evaluate Safety and Efficacy of a Product Named VGN-R08b in Parkinson's Disease Patients With GBA1 Mutations

A Phase I/II Clinical Study to Evaluate the Tolerability, Safety, and Efficacy of VGN-R08b Intra-cerebroventricular injection in Parkinson's Disease Patients with GBA1 Mutations

Evaluation of the Effects of Levodopa-Benserazide Drug Combination on Periodontal Status in Patients With Parkinson's Disease

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of Levodopa-Benserazide drug combination on periodontal status and salivary cytokine levels in patients with Parkinson's disease. The study includes four groups: Parkinson's patients with periodontitis, periodontally healthy Parkinson's patients, participants without Parkinson's with periodontitis, and periodontally healthy participants without Parkinson's. Clinical periodontal parameters (Plaque Index, Gingival Index, Bleeding on Probing, Pocket Depth, and Clinical Attachment Loss) will be recorded. Unstimulated saliva samples will be collected to analyze the levels of TNF-alpha, RANTES, IL-10, IL-13, Total Oxidant Status (TOS), Total Antioxidant Status (TAS), and Malondialdehyde (MDA).

Real World Outcomes of Intranasal MuSE Exosomes and Stem Cells in Neurological Regenerative Therapy

This prospective observational study collects real world data on participants receiving regenerative therapies administered internationally and delivered intranasally via the Kurve Therapeutics ViaNase device. The study does not assign treatment. Participants are enrolled after receiving, or electing to receive, therapy as part of routine clinical care outside the study. Participants are observed in one of three cohorts based on the therapy received: MuSE cell derived exosomes, MuSE stem cells, or combination therapy. The objective is to evaluate safety, tolerability, and changes in inflammatory biomarkers and clinical outcomes over time in a real world setting. The study also evaluates changes in inflammatory biomarkers, including serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), to better understand the biological effects of these therapies.

Exercise Management in Parkinson's Disease

The aim of this study is to examine the benefits that individuals with Parkinson's disease will gain from the rehabilitation program by enabling them to manage their exercise times independently using telerehabilitation method. The main research questions examined in this study are as follows: * Are the improvements in quality of life, walking speed and changes in functionality parameters achieved by individuals with Parkinson's disease through managing their own exercise plans as effective as those achieved through a supervised exercise programme? * Is it effective for Parkinson's patients to manage their own exercise plans in improving their adherence to exercise?

Inhibitory Control and Gait Adaptability in Parkinson's Disease

People with Parkinson's disease (PD) may have difficulty stopping or changing their movements, especially when walking around obstacles. The goal of this observational study is to learn if a specific cognitive function, called inhibitory control (the ability to stop or control actions) is associated with gait adaptability in people with Parkinson's disease. Gait adaptability means the ability to adjust how a person walks in response to changes in the environment, such as stepping over obstacles. The main questions the study aims to answer are: * If brain activation related to inhibitory control, measured by EEG, is associated with gait adaptability during obstacle crossing in people with Parkinson's disease? * If behavioral inhibitory control is associated with gait adaptability during obstacle crossing in people with Parkinson's disease? Participants take part in one study visit. During this visit, participants complete simple thinking tests, have their brain activity recorded using EEG, and perform walking tasks that include stepping over obstacles.

Nut Consumption and Prevention of Non-communicable Diseases: A Global Individual Participant Data Meta-analysis

The relationship between nut consumption and the risk of developing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has been a subject of growing interest. However, the findings from previous studies have been conflicting for some health outcomes, such as type-2 diabetes, and have been underexplored for other outcomes, such as neurodegenerative diseases. One contributing factor to these inconsistencies lies in the different analytical approaches and confounding factors used across studies. Furthermore, the majority of previous studies have primarily focused on populations in Europe or the United States, potentially limiting the generalizability of the findings to other global regions. The NUTPOOL project aims to address these gaps by conducting an extensive individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis. This study will evaluate the association between total and specific types of nut consumption and the future risk of NCDs.