Development and Investigation of the Effectiveness of an External Stimulus-Supported Gait Training Mobile Application for Patients With Parkinson's Disease
The developed mobile application provides patient-specific metronome-based auditory cues and simultaneous tactile vibrations to regulate walking rhythm. In this study, the effects of the mobile application on walking performance and balance in patients with Parkinson's disease will be examined in a single-center, controlled design. Participants will undergo gait training for 30 minutes per day, 3 days a week, for a total of 6 weeks. The experimental group will use the mobile application, while the control group will receive standard gait training without any external stimuli. Walking and functional performance will be assessed before and after the intervention using the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) to assess functional mobility and dynamic balance, the 5-Times Sit to Stand Test (5xSST) to evaluate lower extremity functional strength, and the Freezing of Gait Questionnaire (FOGQ) to evaluate freezing episodes. Additionally, spatiotemporal walking parameters will be measured using a separate gait analysis mobile application. Appropriate statistical tests will be applied, and a significance level of p\<0.05 will be considered.
• Diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinson's disease by a neurologist based on clinical and radiological findings.
• Disease severity between stages 1 to 3 according to the Modified Hoehn and Yahr Scale.
• Able to walk at least 10 meters independently or with an assistive device.
• Being in the ON period of Parkinson's medication.
• Ability to use technological devices such as smartphones (scoring 35 or higher on the Digital Competence Inventory for Older Adults).
• Fluent in reading, understanding, and speaking Turkish.
• Voluntarily participating in the study.