Boston University Charles River Campus
The purpose of this research study is to examine the effects of a 3-month personalized community-based walking program using a digital music-based device designed for self-directed gait training in people with Parkinson disease (PD). The study uses music cues delivered through this digital device to improve walking outcomes. The investigators want to know if personalized music cueing through the digital device can improve walking quality, walking ability, daily walking amount and intensity, and quality of life, while helping walking feel more automatic and require less mental effort. Participants will take part in this research study for approximately 18 weeks in total. During this time, participants will complete 4 study visits at designated research centers at Boston University, Washington University in St. Louis, or the University of Utah, depending on the site of enrollment.
The overall goal of this single-arm, multi-center repeated baselines study (N=162) is to examine how a personalized closed-loop music-based digital gait intervention, using MR-005 (MedRhythms, Inc.), improves gait quality, capacity, real-world walking performance, and gait automaticity in Parkinson disease (PD). Participants will complete a community-based, self-directed walking program using the digital music-based device 4 days a week for 12 weeks, designed to promote sustained walking beyond the use of the device. This study builds on a stepwise investigation beginning with a proof-of-conc…
Inclusion Criteria: * Self-report of diagnosis of typical Parkinson disease determined by a medical doctor * ≥ 40 years of age * Community-dwelling (e.g. home, independent living, senior housing) * Have stable PD medications for at least two weeks prior to enrollment * Modified Hoehn and Yahr stages 1-3 per physical exam by a licensed physical therapist * Able to walk independently without physical assistance for at least 10 minutes (assistive devices allowed with reciprocal gait pattern) * Willing and able to provide informed consent * Provide HIPAA Authorization to allow communication with…
MR-005 (MedRhythms, Inc., Portland, ME) is a personalized, closed-loop, autonomous music-based digital gait intervention designed for self-directed gait training in Parkinson disease (PD). The system uses two shoe-worn gait sensors that communicate in real time with proprietary software on a touchscreen device, which controls the delivery of individualized, progressive rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS), provided as music cues through bone conduction headphones. The software operates autonomously and does not require manual input or adjustment by the patient or clinician during a session.