This is a pilot study designed to assess the feasibility, adherence, and preliminary effects of a 6-week home-based gait training intervention using the Walking Tall mobile app in individuals with Parkinson's disease. The app delivers rhythmic auditory cues and motivational verbal prompts to promote gait improvements. Primary outcomes include daily walking duration and step count measured via wearable sensors; secondary outcomes include gait speed, balance, self-reported confidence, and usability.
This open-label, single-arm feasibility study will recruit 30 participants with idiopathic Parkinson's disease, currently enrolled in a rehabilitation program at the Ezra LeMarpe Organization in Israel. Participants will perform 4-5 walking sessions per week for 6 weeks using the Walking Tall smartphone application. The app delivers rhythmic cueing and motivational prompts to enhance walking speed, stride length, and confidence. The study includes baseline and post-intervention assessments. Walking behavior will be monitored using a tri-axial accelerometer worn for 7 days at each timepoint. The primary aim is to evaluate feasibility, adherence, and changes in daily walking activity, with secondary outcomes addressing gait parameters and user satisfaction. Findings will guide the design of future randomized controlled trials.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
30
Participants will use the Walking Tall smartphone app to complete 4-5 home-based walking sessions per week for 6 weeks. The app provides rhythmic auditory cues and verbal prompts to improve gait quality.
Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov Hospital)
Tel Aviv, Israel
RECRUITINGAverage Step Count Per Day
Measured via accelerometer
Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline and 6 weeks
Daily Walking Duration (minutes/week)
Measured using tri-axial accelerometer (Axivity) over 7 days
Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline and 6 weeks
Gait Speed (m/s) - single- and dual-task
Assessed using a 1-minute walking test under two conditions: (1) single-task (normal walking) and (2) dual-task (walking while performing a cognitive task such as serial subtraction). Gait speed is calculated in meters per second based on distance walked over time in each condition.
Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline and 6 weeks
Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)
The SPPB is a standardized test that evaluates lower extremity function using three components: balance (side-by-side, semi-tandem, tandem stance), gait speed over a 4-meter walk, and chair stands. Each component is scored from 0 to 4, with a total score ranging from 0 (worst performance) to 12 (best performance).
Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline and 6 weeks
Timed Up and Go (TUG) - single- and dual-task
The TUG test measures functional mobility by timing how long it takes a participant to stand up from a chair, walk 3 meters, turn, return, and sit down. It is performed under two conditions: (1) single-task (normal walking) and (2) dual-task (walking while performing a cognitive task, such as serial subtraction). The test evaluates gait, balance, and cognitive-motor integration.
Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline and 6 weeks
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