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Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Combined With Nordic Walking on Gait and Balance in Parkinson's Disease

NCT07381907 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 40

Last updated 2026-02-02

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Parkinson's disease can cause slow or unsteady walking and balance problems that raise the risk of falls. This study will test whether adding a gentle, non-invasive brain stimulation called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) during a supervised Nordic Walking program improves mobility in people with Parkinson's disease. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either active tDCS or an inactive (sham) procedure that feels the same but does not deliver current, while both groups complete the same supervised walking program. Sessions occur three times per week for four weeks. We will measure walking speed with a 10-Meter Walk Test as the main outcome, and also evaluate balance, motor symptoms, quality of life, and any side effects. We expect that tDCS given during the walking sessions will help people walk faster and feel steadier compared with the walking program alone.

Conditions

  • Parkinson Disease (PD)
  • Gait Disorders
  • Postural Balance

Interventions

DEVICE

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), active

Anodal tDCS over SMA (FCz) with saline-soaked sponge electrodes (5×7 cm); cathode supraorbital contralateral; 2.0 mA for 20 minutes, 30-s ramp-in/out; delivered during NW; 12 sessions over 4 weeks (3×/week).

DEVICE

Sham transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Same montage and timing as active; brief ramp-in/out then 0 mA for the remainder; delivered during NW; 12 sessions over 4 weeks.

BEHAVIORAL

Standardized Nordic Walking program

30-minute supervised session (5-min warm-up; 20-min continuous walking with poles at moderate perceived exertion; 5-min cool-down); technique cues for pole use and cadence; performed each visit in both arms; 12 sessions over 4 weeks.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Universidade Metodista de Piracicaba

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
50 Years
Max Age
75 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2025-06-09
Primary Completion
2026-02-28
Completion
2026-03-31

Countries

  • Brazil

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07381907 on ClinicalTrials.gov