Usability Study of a Novel Tactile Cueing Device for Patients With Parkinson's Disease: A Monocentric Interventional Study
Hypokinetic gait disorder and Freezing of Gait (FOG) are frequent symptoms in the advanced stage of Parkinson's disease (PD). These impair quality of life and significantly increase the risk of falls. External movement pacemakers have been developed to improve gait and avert FOG by cueing strategies. The investigators developed a smart, small and lightweight, easy-to-handle wearable tactile cueing device (TCD), consisting of a control unit, two pulse generators and a battery-driven power supply. The device is programmed via a Graphical User Interface (GUI).
• Include patients who suffer from advanced PD. Characteristic symptoms of parkinsonian gait like hypokinetic movements and/or FOG have to be present.
• Parkinsonian gait is measured by the following items of the Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS): item 2.12, item 2.13, item 3.10 and item 3.11. The Hoehn and Yahr (HY) stage during ON is 1-4/5.
• MoCA ≥ 22/30.
• Participant has signed the informed consent.