Active not recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Physiotherapy and Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease

This study focuses on people with Parkinson's disease who are having deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. While DBS can help with movement problems like stiffness and tremor, some people still struggle with moving around or even fall more often after the surgery. Physiotherapy, especially exercises for walking and balance, could help with these issues. This research wants to find out if having physiotherapy alongside DBS surgery works better for improving safe, independent movement than just having DBS alone. About 60 people will take part, with some getting physiotherapy and others continuing with their usual activities. The study will last for eight months.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Toronto

Enrolment target

Start

15 Apr 2021

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2025

Parkinson Disease

What is this study about?

You might be reading this because you or someone you know has Parkinson's disease and is considering deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. DBS is an operation where small wires are put into the brain to help control some of the movement problems linked with Parkinson's, such as shaking, stiffness, and slow movement. While DBS often improves these symptoms a lot, some people still find it hard to move around easily in their daily life, and a few might even start falling more often after the surgery. This can be frustrating as being able to move independently is really important for living a full life.

Physiotherapy is a type of treatment that uses physical exercises and techniques to help improve movement, strength, and balance. There's growing evidence that physiotherapy can be very helpful for people with Parkinson's disease, especially by focusing on walking and balance exercises to help prevent falls. However, we don't yet know if physiotherapy works well for people who have had DBS surgery.

This study aims to answer that important question. We want to see if combining DBS surgery with a special physiotherapy programme helps people with Parkinson's disease move more safely and independently, compared to those who just have the DBS surgery without this specific physiotherapy. By finding this out, we hope to improve how people recover and live after DBS surgery.

Key takeaways

This study evaluates physiotherapy after Parkinson's DBS surgery.
It aims to improve safe movement and reduce falls.
Compares physiotherapy plus DBS versus DBS alone.
About 60 participants over an 8-month period.
Participation involves assessments and potentially physiotherapy sessions.
The goal is to enhance life quality for Parkinson's patients.

Who may be eligible?

To be considered for this study, you need to have Parkinson's disease and your doctors must have already decided that you are a suitable candidate for deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. You also need to be 18 years old or older and be able to understand the study and agree to take part.

However, there are reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you have other bone or joint problems that make it hard for you to move around, or if you have severe memory or thinking problems. We also can't include you if you're already having physiotherapy treatment, or if you've had it in the three months before the study starts. This is to make sure we can clearly see the effect of the physiotherapy being tested in the study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Do I have Parkinson's disease?
Am I already a candidate for DBS surgery?
Am I 18 years old or older?
Do I have any severe bone or joint problems that make moving difficult?
Do I have severe memory or thinking issues?
Have I had physiotherapy in the last three months, or am I currently having it?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, the total time you'd be involved is about eight months. You'll start by having some initial assessments and then your DBS surgery. Around one month after surgery, doctors will begin adjusting your DBS settings to find what works best for you. This adjustment period will continue, and at about three months, you'll have another set of assessments.

Depending on where you live (within 50 km of the physiotherapy clinic), you'll either be in a group that receives physiotherapy or a control group. If you're in the physiotherapy group, you'll go to a clinic for one hour, three times a week, for eight weeks. If you're in the control group, you won't receive extra physiotherapy but will be encouraged to stay active using a home exercise video. Both groups will have several assessments throughout the eight months to check your progress. You will have assessments at five different points during the 8-month study period.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer the benefit of improved movement and a reduced risk of falls if the physiotherapy treatment is effective. You'll also be contributing to important research that could help many others with Parkinson's disease in the future. However, there are no guarantees that you will personally benefit from taking part. The risks are typically low, but as with any study, there's always the chance that the physiotherapy might not be effective or could feel like an added commitment. You are always free to leave the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Movement Disorders Centre - Toronto Western Hospital
Verified postcode
Toronto, Canada

Common questions

What is deep brain stimulation (DBS)?

DBS is a surgical treatment for Parkinson's disease where devices are implanted in the brain to help control movement symptoms like tremor and stiffness.

Why is this study important?

This study is important because it wants to see if adding physiotherapy to DBS surgery can help people with Parkinson's disease move more safely and independently, which is not fully understood yet.

Will I definitely get physiotherapy if I join?

Not everyone will get physiotherapy in this study. Whether you do depends on where you live, as participants living closer to the clinic will be in the physiotherapy group.

How long will the study last for me?

Your involvement in the study will last for about eight months from the time you enrol until your final assessment.

Will I have to pay for the physiotherapy?

The study should cover the costs of any physiotherapy given as part of the research. Please confirm this with the study team before you join.