Stimulating the Vagus Nerve to Improve Gait in Veterans With Parkinson's Disease
More than 110,000 US Veterans living with Parkinson's disease (PD) currently receive PD-related care and services from the VA. Fall prevention is a priority for Veterans living PD. Gait disturbances are a major cause for functional dependence and the largest risk factor for falls, institutionalization, and death in PD. This SPiRE addresses the need to advance nonpharmacological rehabilitative health care of Veterans and maximizing functional outcomes by developing a non-invasive, neuromodulatory transcutaneous cervical Vagal Nerve Stimulation as an at-home intervention to improve gait and balance. This pilot clinical trial will assist with future efforts and priorities of the VA to prolong independent living and quality of life by minimizing gait and balance dysfunction experienced by Veterans living with PD.
• Parkinson's disease, as diagnosis by a VA neurologist
• HY stages 2-3
• Self-report Freezing of Gait
• Able to ambulate for 2-min without an assistive device
• Parkinson's disease medications are stable for 4-weeks and expected to be on stable medications for duration of the study