Retraining Gait in Parkinson's Disease Via a Personalised App

Introduction Parkinson's disease (PD) limits mobility by worsening gait/walking and increasing fall risk. Falls lead to injuries and reduce confidence in performing everyday tasks. That lowers a person's ability to participate in community activities such as going to the shops or visiting friends, which reduces their quality of life. Development of interventions for gait impairments and falls is a research priority for Parkinson's UK.

Understanding gait Traditionally, one approach a physiotherapist may use to try and improve/retrain a person's gait is with an electronic metronome which is a device that "beeps" nearly every second. The physiotherapist sets the metronome beeping, and the person tries to step to each beep. However, success depends on the physio's expertise/experience. Regardless, beeping sounds are described as boring.

Smartphone app An app may be the solution. Smartphones have many sensors, meaning they can accurately measure gait but also deliver retraining via music. That is possible by the creation of an "app" that can be downloaded and installed on anyone's smartphone.

Research proposal The investigators have developed and validated an app (CuePD) that uses music for gait retraining, to make it more enjoyable by having people listen to their preferred music. The aim for this study is to get people with PD (PwPD) using CuePD in their home and when out walking for 12-weeks to determine: (i) how PwPD use and value CuePD and (ii) CuePD's ability to improve gait to reduce fall risk.