In a new paper, MJFF-funded researchers suggest that brain exercises, or cognitive training, could help treat freezing of gait. Freezing of gait is when a person suddenly becomes temporarily unable to move, and their feet feel like they're stuck to the floor. It may happen in later years of Parkinson's and doesn't respond well to currently available treatments.

For the study, published today in Nature Partner Journal Parkinson's Disease, researchers measured the amount of time 65 people with Parkinson's experienced freezing while they were on and off their medications. Then half of the study participants completed a 14-week program of computer tasks focused on attention, memory, visuospatial skills and other brain functions. The other volunteers (the placebo group) completed a series of non-specific computer tasks. At the end of the study, researchers again evaluated freezing time on and off medication. The cognitive training group had significantly less freezing of gait. These participants also were faster understanding and reacting to information (processing speed) and had less daytime sleepiness.

This study provides preliminary evidence that brain training could be a useful therapy for freezing of gait, but results need to be replicated in a larger study population. It's another step toward delivering therapies for unmet needs of gait and balance problems in Parkinson's. This is a priority area for the Foundation -- we're working to understand more about the causes of freezing of gait and imbalance and to develop treatments, including using new technologies and other non-pharmacological solutions.

Read about another therapy in testing for freezing.

Hear our community's tips to overcome freezing.

Register on Fox Trial Finder to match with recruiting trials on freezing and gait in Parkinson's.