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Robotic Apparel to Prevent Freezing of Gait in Parkinson Disease
NCT06602544 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
Freezing-of-gait (FoG) in Parkinson Disease (PD) is one of the most vivid and disturbing gait phenomena in neurology. Often described by patients as a feeling of "feet getting glued to the floor," FoG is formally defined as a "brief, episodic absence or marked reduction of forward progression of the feet despite the intention to walk." This debilitating gait phenomena is very common in PD, occurring in up to 80% of individuals with severe PD. When FoG arrests walking, serious consequences can occur such as loss of balance, falls, injurious events, consequent fear of falling, and increased hospitalization. Wearable robots are capable of augmenting spatiotemporal gait mechanics and are emerging as viable solutions for locomotor assistance in various neurological populations. For the proposed study, our goal is to understand how low force mechanical assistance from soft robotic apparel can best mitigate gait decline preceding a freezing episode and subsequent onset of FoG by improving spatial (e.g. stride length) and temporal features (e.g. stride time variability) of walking. We hypothesize that the ongoing gait-preserving effects can essentially minimize the accumulation of motor errors that lead to FoG. Importantly, the autonomous assistance provided by the wearable robot circumvents the need for cognitive or attentional resources, thereby minimizing risks for overloading the cognitive systems -- a known trigger for FoG, thus enhancing the repeatability and robustness of FoG-preventing effects.
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- DEVICE Robotic Apparel
Study Locations (2)
Massachusetts
- Harvard Science and Engineering Complex — Allston
- Boston University Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences — Boston
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 20 participants |
| Start Date | 2024-09-03 |
| Est. Completion | 2027-09 |
| Phase | NA |
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT06602544
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT06602544 describes a study currently listed as recruiting. It is categorized as NA, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 20 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is Harvard Medical School (HMS and HSDM), which has 71 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 1 condition, with Parkinson Disease (PD) appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 1 intervention — of which Robotic Apparel is the first listed. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT06602544 reports 2 study locations spanning 1 distinct geographic area — top geographies include Massachusetts. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT06602544 about?
NCT06602544 is a clinical study titled "Robotic Apparel to Prevent Freezing of Gait in Parkinson Disease". Freezing-of-gait (FoG) in Parkinson Disease (PD) is one of the most vivid and disturbing gait phenomena in neurology. Often described by patients as a feeling of "feet getting glued to the floor," FoG is formally defined as a "brief, episodic absence or marked reduction of forward progression of the...
What is the current status of trial NCT06602544?
This trial is currently recruiting. It is a NA study. The enrollment target is 20 participants. The study started on 2024-09-03. Estimated completion is 2027-09.
What conditions does trial NCT06602544 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Parkinson Disease (PD). These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT06602544?
The interventions under investigation include: Robotic Apparel (DEVICE). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT06602544?
This trial is sponsored by Harvard Medical School (HMS and HSDM), which has 71 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT06602544 being conducted?
This trial has 2 study locations across Massachusetts. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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