Actively Recruiting
Clinical Validity of the DANU Sports System for Gait and Balance Assessment in Parkinson's Disease
Led by Northumbria University · Updated on 2026-02-12
60
Participants Needed
2
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
N
Northumbria University
Lead Sponsor
D
DANU Sports Ltd
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This research aims to explore the use of DANU Smart Socks for assessing walking and balance in people with Parkinson's disease (PwP). The study compares gait and balance data from PwP and healthy individuals of similar age to see if these measurements relate to Parkinson's symptoms such as disease progression and cognitive function. It is an observational study involving one laboratory visit. Participants include people diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and healthy age-matched controls, all aged 50 or older. During the visit, participants complete clinical and cognitive tests including the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Freezing of Gait Questionnaire, and Falls Efficacy Scale. Movement is assessed using the DANU system alongside APDM Mobility Lab through tasks like a 2-Minute Walk Test, walkway trials, Timed Up and Go, and balance tasks. Participants attend one visit where clinical scales, cognitive tests, and mobility assessments are conducted. Researchers collect detailed gait and balance outcomes such as stride length, step time, cadence, ground contact time, and range of motion in one session. These data help understand links between walking patterns and Parkinson's symptoms. The study ends after this single visit, with no long-term follow-up described.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Clinical Validity of the DANU Sports System for Gait and Balance Assessment in Parkinson's Disease
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease by a movement disorder specialist according to UK brain bank criteria (for Parkinson's group)
- Hoehn and Yahr stages I-III (for Parkinson's group)
- Ability to attend Northumbria University for study visit
- Able to walk and stand unassisted for at least 2 minutes
- Aged 50 years or older
- Ability to attend Northumbria University for study visit (for healthy controls)
- Aged 50 years or older (for healthy controls)
- Able to walk and stand unassisted for at least 2 minutes (for healthy controls)
You will not qualify if you...
- History of neurological disorders other than Parkinson's disease (e.g., Huntington's disease, stroke, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease)
- Unable to walk or stand unaided
- Montreal Cognitive Assessment score below 21
- Significant non-Parkinson's issues affecting gait (e.g., musculoskeletal problems, back pain, recent surgery)
- History of neurological disorders (for healthy controls)
- Significant issues affecting walking (for healthy controls)
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 1 day
Participants attend one visit to complete clinical and cognitive assessments and perform motor tasks using the DANU Sports System and APDM Mobility Lab for gait and balance evaluation.
1 visit (in-person)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 2 locations
1
Northumbria University
Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom
Actively Recruiting
2
Northumbria University
Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Enrolling by Invitation
Research Team
G
Gabriella R Gatti, BSc
R
Rodrigo Vitorio, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
2
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