Research & Evidence

Everything on WalkEasy is grounded in peer-reviewed research and clinical guidelines. This page lists the key studies behind our recommendations, plus active clinical trials you can follow or join.

Our approach to evidence

WalkEasy prioritises the highest quality evidence available. Our information hierarchy:

We review new research regularly and update our guidance accordingly. This page was last updated in February 2025.

Key Studies & Guidelines

Falls Prevention & Exercise

Cochrane Review
Allen NE, Canning CG, Almeida LRS, et al.
Interventions for preventing falls in Parkinson's disease
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2022; 6: CD011574
PMID: 35665915 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD011574.pub2
Clinical Guideline
Osborne JA, Botkin R, Colon-Semenza C, et al.
Physical Therapist Management of Parkinson Disease: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American Physical Therapy Association
Physical Therapy, 2022; 102(4): pzab302
PMC9046970 PMID: 34963139 DOI: 10.1093/ptj/pzab302
Review
Camicioli R, Morris ME, Bhatt H, et al.
Prevention of Falls in Parkinson's Disease: Guidelines and Gaps
Movement Disorders Clinical Practice, 2023; 10(10): 1459-1469
PMC10585979 DOI: 10.1002/mdc3.13860
Landmark RCT
Li F, Harmer P, Fitzgerald K, et al.
Tai chi and postural stability in patients with Parkinson's disease
New England Journal of Medicine, 2012; 366(6): 511-519
PMID: 22316445 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1107911
Meta-Analysis
Song R, Grabowska W, Park M, et al.
The impact of Tai Chi and Qigong mind-body exercises on motor and non-motor function and quality of life in Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Parkinsonism & Related Disorders, 2017; 41: 3-13
PMID: 30918623

Fall Risk Factors & Epidemiology

Meta-Analysis
Van Bladel A, Herssens N, Bouche K, et al.
Proportion of falls reported in persons with Parkinson's disease: a meta-analysis
Clinical Rehabilitation, 2023; 37(7): 945-958
PMID: 36851866 DOI: 10.1177/02692155231158565
Systematic Review
Allen NE, Schwarzel AK, Canning CG
Recurrent falls in Parkinson's disease: a systematic review
Parkinson's Disease, 2013; Article ID 906274
PMC3606768

Freezing of Gait

Review
Gao C, Liu J, Tan Y, Chen S
Freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease: pathophysiology, risk factors and treatments
Translational Neurodegeneration, 2020; 9: 12
PMC7040154 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-020-00191-5

Rehabilitation & Therapy Programmes

RCT
Janssens J, Moncada-Torres A, Nyffeler T, et al.
The effects of standard and modified LSVT BIG therapy protocols on balance and gait in Parkinson's disease: A randomized controlled trial
PLOS ONE, 2024
PMC10918598
Review
Pereira APS, Marinho V, Gupta D, et al.
Falls Prevention, Home Safety, and Rehabilitation Services for People with Parkinson's Disease: A Client and Caregiver Guide
Brain Sciences, 2023; 13(7): 1015
PMC10330085

Emergencies & Complications

Review
Gerlach OHH, Winogrodzka A, Weber WEJ
Emergencies and critical issues in Parkinson's disease
Practical Neurology, 2020; 20: 30-38
PMC7029239

Active Clinical Trials

These are currently recruiting or active clinical trials related to falls in Parkinson's disease, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. If you or your loved one is interested in participating, discuss with your neurologist first.

Reducing Falls With Varenicline in Hypocholinergic Parkinson Disease

Recruiting
Phase 2 · 102 participants · University of Michigan
Testing whether varenicline (a nicotinic agent) can reduce falls in PD patients with low brain cholinergic activity.
NCT06679374 →

Spinal Cord Stimulation to Reduce Imbalance and Falls in Parkinson's Disease

Recruiting
Interventional · 8 participants · Imperial College London
Evaluating whether high-frequency or burst spinal cord stimulation can reduce freezing of gait and falls.
NCT06005584 →

10,000 STEP CLUB: Community Walking Program Using Nordic Walking Poles

Recruiting
Interventional · 60 participants · University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Studying whether a community Nordic walking program can decrease sedentary behaviour, fear of falling, and social isolation in PD.
NCT06605183 →

Enhanced Tai Chi Training for Motor and Non-Motor Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease

Active
Interventional · 30 participants · King's College Hospital, London
A randomised controlled study of enhanced Tai Chi training on motor and non-motor PD symptoms.
NCT07297368 →

Steps Against the Burden of Parkinson's Disease — Speed-Dependent Treadmill + VR

Recruiting
Interventional · 42 participants · University of Kiel / Tel Aviv / Bologna
Testing whether virtual reality-triggered adaptations combined with speed-dependent treadmill training reduce falls.
NCT07105787 →

Virtual Reality vs. Conventional Physical Therapy in Parkinson's Disease

Recruiting
Interventional · 62 participants
Comparing virtual reality-based physical therapy against conventional PT for balance and gait outcomes.
NCT07359716 →

Wearable Airbag Technology to Mitigate Falls in High-Risk Individuals

Active
Interventional · 200 participants · Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago
Testing a wearable airbag belt system that deploys on impact to protect PD patients, stroke survivors, and amputees from fall injuries.
NCT05076565 →

Clinical trial data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov, a registry of the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Last checked February 2025. Visit clinicaltrials.gov for the most current information.