Parkinson’s disease clinical trial tests exercise regimen to improve movement

OHSU conducts first-of-its-kind study to see if exercise can help patients with the complex movement of turning, prevent dangerous falls

By Erik Robinson May 16, 2023 Portland, Oregon

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Downloads

Download Video B-Roll of OHSU's Balance Disorder Lab

Download Interview: Fay Horak, Ph.D., P.T.

Download interview: Linda Cherney, OHSU turning clinical trial participant

Methodical process

The OHSU study is testing the proposition that a focused, exercise-based approach can retrain the brain and improve the lives of people with Parkinson’s disease. (OHSU/Christine Torres Hicks)

The difficulties of turning

More than half of people diagnosed with Parkinson’s experience a temporary, involuntary inability to move known as freezing. (OHSU/Christine Torres Hicks)

Linda Cherney

Linda Cherney, 71, of Battle Ground, Washington, is part of an ongoing clinical trial at OHSU to test a training protocol designed to help people with Parkinson's Disease. (OHSU/Christine Torres Hicks)

Fay Horak, Ph.D. (OHSU)

Improving movement

Linda Cherney demonstrates an OHSU training protocol designed to improve the ability to turn for people with Parkinson’s disease. An OHSU clinical trial is using wearable sensors to test whether the training improves mobility and quality of life. (OHSU/Christine Torres Hicks)