Robot-Assisted Gait Training vs NMES in Parkinson's Disease
Comparative Effects of Robot-Assisted Gait Training and Quadriceps Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Added to Standard Exercise Rehabilitation on Balance, Gait, Disease Severity, and Quadriceps Muscle Adaptations in Patients With Parkinson Disease: A Prospective Randomized Assessor-Blinded Clinical Trial
Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital
40 participants
Apr 15, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
This prospective, randomized, assessor-blinded clinical trial aims to compare the effects of robot-assisted gait training and quadriceps neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) when added to a standard exercise rehabilitation program in patients with Parkinson disease. Participants will be randomly assigned to two parallel groups. Both groups will receive a standard rehabilitation program, while one group will additionally undergo robot-assisted gait training and the other group will receive quadriceps NMES. The interventions will be administered five days per week for six weeks. Clinical outcomes, including balance, functional mobility, gait performance, and disease severity, will be evaluated at baseline, post-treatment, and follow-up (week 14). In addition, ultrasound-based assessments of quadriceps muscle thickness and cross-sectional area will be performed to investigate muscle adaptations. The results of this study are expected to provide comparative evidence regarding the effectiveness of these two rehabilitation approaches and contribute to optimizing rehabilitation strategies in Parkinson disease.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria7
- Diagnosis of Parkinson's disease according to established clinical criteria
- Age between 40 and 80 years
- Hoehn and Yahr stage II-III
- Ability to walk independently with or without assistive devices
- Stable medical treatment for at least 4 weeks prior to study enrollment
- Ability to understand and follow instructions
- Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria9
- Severe cognitive impairment or inability to follow instructions
- Hoehn and Yahr stage IV-V Parkinson's disease
- Severe musculoskeletal disorders affecting gait (e.g., advanced osteoarthritis, recent fracture)
- History of lower extremity surgery within the last 6 months
- Severe cardiovascular or respiratory disease limiting exercise participation
- Presence of other neurological disorders affecting mobility (e.g., stroke, multiple sclerosis)
- Contraindications to electrical stimulation (e.g., pacemaker, implanted electronic devices)
- Skin lesions or infections at electrode placement sites
- Participation in another structured rehabilitation program within the last 3 months
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Interventions
Quadriceps neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) applied to the quadriceps muscle in addition to a standard rehabilitation program including posture exercises, balance and coordination training, relaxation, and functional gait training in patients with Parkinson's disease. This intervention specifically targets improvement of quadriceps muscle strength and neuromuscular activation.
Robot-assisted gait training applied in addition to a standard rehabilitation program including posture exercises, balance and coordination training, relaxation, and functional gait training in patients with Parkinson's disease. This intervention is designed to improve gait performance, balance, and functional mobility.
Locations(1)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
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NCT07589296