Evaluation of Using Vibrotactile Coordinated Reset for Management of Parkinson's Disease

A Prospective, Randomized, Staggered-onset, Double Blinded, Sham-Controlled Study to Evaluate Peripheral Vibrotactile Coordinated Reset (CR) Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease

This is a study to evaluate peripheral vibrotactile coordinated reset stimulation for Parkinson's disease seeks to explore the safety and efficacy of an experimental non-invasive method to aid in the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. The purpose of the study is to verify the safety and tolerability of non-painful sensory (tactile) vibratory stimulation delivered to the fingertips of patients with Parkinson's disease.

This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a non-invasive, experimental method to aid in the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. A glove device produces non-painful sensory (tactile) vibratory stimulation to the fingertips of Parkinson's patients. Vibrotactile coordinated reset (vCR) will help investigators compare durability and efficacy of the tactile stimulation to current medical therapy. Participants will receive vCR for a minimum of 3 months and a maximum of 13 and motor ability will be recorded. If the results of this study suggest that vibrotactile CR stimulation is safe and effective for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, this non-invasive treatment approach would have a substantial impact on Parkinson's disease.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 18 and older
2. Diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease.
3. Levodopa responsiveness as defined by at least a 30% reduction in Movement Disorders Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) motor subscale (excluding tremor scores) in the ON vs off medication state.
4. Willing to participate in the vibrotactile stimulation sessions for 2 consecutive days initially and willing to return for follow-up visits
5. Able to provide informed consent.
6. Appropriate social support

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Hoehn and Yahr stage greater than 3 in the on medication state
2. Presence of other forms of non-idiopathic parkinsonism, including but not limited to atypical parkinsonism, medication induced parkinsonism, vascular Parkinsonism
3. Any illness that in the investigator's opinion precludes participation in the study
4. Subjects unable to communicate with the investigator and staff