RecruitingNot Applicable

Auditory Sleep Stimulation or Sham in People With Parkinson Disease Mild Cognitive Impairment During Cognitive Training

Switzerland50 participantsStarted 2026-04-22

Plain-language summary

People with Parkinson's disease are at higher risk of cognitive decline, and current treatments cannot fully prevent this. This study explores non-drug ways to support brain function. Intervention: Participants will complete a 5-week cognitive training program at home ("brain fitness"). In addition, they will use a sleep device at night that plays soft sounds to improve deep sleep; Half of the participants will actually receive these sounds (auditory stimulation), while the other half will receive a sham (placebo) version - neither the participants nor the researchers will know the group assignment. Assessments will take place before and after the intervention, and again three months later, including one overnight stay at University Hospital Zurich per assessment. The goal is to find out whether improving deep sleep can boost the benefits of cognitive training and help slow cognitive decline in Parkinson's disease.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * clinical diagnosis of PD along the MDS criteria (Postuma et al., 2015) * MCI according to the MDS criteria, level I (Litvan et al., 2012): * \- cognitive decline: Gradual decline, in the context of established PD, in cognitive ability reported by either the patient or informant, or observed by the clinician, AND * \- MoCA ≤ 26 and ≥ 18 (Hoops et al., 2009) * stable home situation (e.g. long-term place to live) that allows for reliable application of intervention for the duration of the study * ability to apply the sleep intervention for the duration of study, either alone or with assistance of a co-habitant if needed * ability to apply the CogT intervention for the duration of study * sufficient German language comprehension to follow the study procedures and answer all questions related to the study outcomes * dosing of dopaminergic and other PD treatment must have been stable for at least 14 days prior to the intervention period and will be expected to remain stable until the end of the study. Exclusion Criteria: Diagnosis/Comorbidities: * clinical diagnosis of dementia (cognitive impairment sufficient to interfere with independence in everyday activities, i.e. "major neurocognitive disorder", DSM-5) * known presence of neurologic (other than PD) or psychiatric disorder * Parkinsonism without response to levodopa; atypical Parkinsonian syndromes as assessed from medical history and clinical examination * severe medical conditions (for example, rena…

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Additive Effect of PTAS on Cognitive Improvements (Executive Performance) Through Digital Cognitive Training in PD-MCI

Timeframe: Assessed at baseline (pre-intervention), after 5 weeks (post-intervention), and 3-month follow-up.

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07441915

SponsorUniversity of Zurich

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2027-12

Contact for this trial

Simon J. Schreiner, MD

+41 43 253 24 18 simon.schreiner@usz.ch

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Parkinson's Disease trials