STEPS 2 - Can electrical stimulation improve walking?
Researchers from the Salisbury District Hospital and the University of Plymouth want to understand if a small electrical stimulation device could be used to improve walking for people with Parkinson’s.
234 people with Parkinson’s who:
• have difficulty walking due to Parkinson’s
• can walk 50 metres with walking aids and stand from a sitting position, without assistance from another person
Unfortunately those receiving Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) or using other active medical implanted devices, such as a pacemaker, are unable to take part.
• If you are eligible to take part, you will either receive the study treatment for 18 weeks or your usual care for 22 weeks.
• You will be asked to attend visits to your local research site. Those receiving the study treatment will attend 10 visits and those receiving usual care will attend 6 visits.
The length of these visits will vary between 1 and 2 hours.
During these visits, you will take part in tests to measure your movement and Parkinson’s symptoms and be asked to complete surveys.
• You will also be asked to complete a falls and exercise diary for the duration of the study
Travel expenses will be reimbursed.
For more information please read the participant information sheet or contact the research team by email [email protected].
Interested in taking part?
Scroll down to find your nearest study site location, click on the arrow, and contact the relevant research team.
The deadline for taking part in this research is 31 August 2025.
If you have any questions please contact the study team by email [email protected].
The study team will reply to you within 5 working days.
The National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) as part of their Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) funding stream
Salisbury District Hospital
Salisbury District Hospital
Salisbury
SP2 8BJ
United Kingdom
Leeds
St James’s University Hospital
Leeds
LS9 7TF
United Kingdom
Register your interest on the research website or contact Rachel Watterston and Jamie Maple by phone at 0113 392 4582 or email at [email protected].
Swansea
Swansea University Health Board, Morriston Hospital
Swansea
SA6 6NL
United Kingdom
Register your interest on the research website or contact Lorna Tasker by phone at 01792 703 609 or email at [email protected].
Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust WMRC
91 Oak Tree Lane, Selly Oak,
Birmingham
B29 6JA
United Kingdom
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Ysbyty Gwynedd
Penrhosgarnedd
Bangor
LL57 2PW
United Kingdom
North Cumbria Integrated Care
Building 12
Cumberland infirmary
Carlisle
CA2 7HY
United Kingdom
Specialist Rehabilitation Florence Nightingale Community Hospital
London Road
Derby
DE1 2QY
United Kingdom
Register your interest on the research website or contact Helen Evans by phone at 01332 258159 or email at [email protected].
Ipswich Hospital
Heath Road
Ipswich
IP4 5PD
United Kingdom
Register your interest on the research website or contact Jenny Finch by phone, 01473 707652 or email, [email protected]