Freezing of gait (FOG) is a common disabling condition in Parkinson's disease (PD), causes falls, and impairs quality of life. Therapeutic options for this symptom are limited and of limited efficacy. Besides, the pathophysiology has been not clarified yet. Proprioceptive sensitivity is likely to play a role and recent studies have reported that high-frequency microfocal vibratory stimulation exert a modulatory effect of proprioceptive reflex circuits and could be considered a valuable treatment strategy. However, evidence is not available. The present study was designed to collect preliminary evidence of efficacy of a vibrotactile device (Equistasi) for the treatment of FOG.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
42
Equistasi is a nanotechnology for proprioceptive focal stimulation. Every patient will receive four patches to be placed on both legs for 4 weeks.
Centro Parkinson, ASST Gaetano Pini-CTO
Milan, Italy
Freezing of gait questionnaire severity
Change in freezing of gait questionnaire score
Time frame: 4 weeks
Gait and Falls Questionnaire (GFQ) score
Change in the GFQ score
Time frame: 4 weeks
39-item Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire
Change in quality of life measured using the 39-item Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire
Time frame: 4 weeks
Falls
Number of falls recorded during the intervention period
Time frame: 4 weeks
Treatment continuation
Likelihood that patients would continue taking the trial treatment as assessed by a self-rating scale
Time frame: 4 weeks
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