Targeted Motor Learning to Improve Gait for Individuals With Parkinson Disease

Summary

The purpose of this research study is to determine how training to step with a metronome on both a treadmill, as well as overground, will influence the way that people with Parkinson disease walk. Using metronomes is commonly used in clinics, but the investigators will be using a combination of slow and fast frequencies to alter the way that people walk. The use of a slower frequency metronome on the treadmill is intended to help participants take larger steps. The use of a faster frequency metronome while walking overground is intended to help participants take faster steps.This will take place over 12 training sessions. Each session will be about an hour. It will include some walking tests and pictures of the brain (using MRI) before and after training.

Description

Eligibility

Age range

50–80 years

Sex

All

Healthy volunteers

No

Interventions

• Other
  Gait training without rhythmic auditory cues

  Gait training on treadmill and overground without any rhythmic auditory cues

• Other
  TRAC

  Metronome set to 85% on treadmill and 115% when walking overground

• Other
  dTRAC

  Metronome set around 85% on treadmill and around 115% when walking overground

Location