Freezing of gait (FOG) is a debilitating symptom of Parkinson's disease increases the risk of falling. Despite being a common symptom, it is still difficult to evaluate freezing of gait quickly and accurately. Currently, the gold-standard method to determine the severity of FOG is a manual analysis of video footage by an experienced assessor, collected during standardized FOG-provoking walking tests. Because this is a very time-intensive process, where different assessors sometimes obtain different results, our team at KU Leuven have developed an artificial-intelligent (AI) algorithm trained to identify FOG episodes based on wearable inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor data. The AI algorithm has already undergone initial validation during laboratory testing, yielding promising results. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the AI algorithm can accurately detect FOG episodes in a less controlled environment, namely the home environment. In a second phase, the investigators will also use the collected data to improve the AI algorithm for automated FOG detection in the home. Finally, the investigators want to explore whether the AI algorithm can detect FOG in real-time.
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:
For all participants
* Voluntary written informed consent of the participant has been obtained prior to any study-related procedures, except the non-recorded pre-screening questions;
* At least 18 years of age at the time of signing the Informed Consent Form (ICF);
* Person is cognitively able to follow and understand instructions and provide voluntary written informed consent;
* Person is able to walk for short distances (± 10 meters) independently, with- or without use of a walking aid;
* Person does not live in a temporary or permanent care facility.
For participants with PD:
* Clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) made by a neurologist according to the Movement Disorders Society guidelines;
* Person self-reports to experience daily FOG (for recruitment of freezers only);
* Person is willing to temporarily delay the morning anti-Parkinsonian medication during the standardized assessment visit.
Exclusion criteria:
* Occurrence of any of the following within 3 months prior to informed consent: myocardial infarction, hospitalization for unstable angina, stroke, coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), implantation of a cardiac resynchronization therapy device (CRTD), active treatment for cancer or other malignant disease, uncontrolled congestive heart disease (NYHA class \>3), acute psychosis or major psychiatric disorders or continued substance abuse, other neurological (than PD) or orthopaedic impairme…
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
1
Comparing the agreement between AID-FOG and gold-standard expert annotation to detect the percentage of time spent with freezing of gait (FOG) in relation to total time duration (%TF).
Timeframe: T0=test day 1: free-living gait assessment (5 hours), T1=test day 2: free-living gait (5 hours) and T2= test day 3: standardized gait (4 hours)