NCT07525973

The Effect of Eye Exercises on Motor Performance, Balance, and Fall Risk in Parkinson's Disease

The Effect of Synchronous Home-Based Tele Eye Exercises on Motor Function, Balance, and Fall Risk in Patients With Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 34 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Pardis Specialized Wellness Institute · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 80 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The objective of the trial is to assess key areas of uncertainty regarding the use of synchronous home-based tele eye exercises in future practice and research for patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), including issues relating to feasibility, safety, and potential for efficacy on motor performance, balance, and fall risk.

Detailed description

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder caused by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta of the midbrain. This leads to reduced dopamine levels, impairing the brain's ability to control and coordinate movement, resulting in characteristic motor symptoms such as bradykinesia, rigidity, tremor, and postural instability. Global pooled prevalence of PD is estimated at 1.51 cases per 1000 people, with higher rates in males and increasing significantly with age; projections indicate a substantial rise in cases by 2050 due to population aging. Approximately 60% of individuals with PD fall each year, with two-thirds experiencing recurrent falls, leading to serious secondary complications, fractures, reduced mobility, fear of falling, and increased mortality risk. Environmental and genetic factors contribute to PD risk, and while no curative treatment exists, pharmacological management (e.g., levodopa) and physical activity are central to symptom control. Regular physical activity and exercise have been shown to improve mobility, gait, balance, and postural stability in PD, with long-term maintenance of activity levels associated with slower deterioration in postural and gait function, activities of daily living, and processing speed. A recent Cochrane review confirmed that exercise interventions reduce fall rates by approximately 35% and the proportion of fallers by about 10% in people with mild-to-moderate PD, with fully supervised programs showing greater benefits. Oculomotor dysfunctions (such as hypometric saccades, impaired smooth pursuit, and convergence insufficiency) are well-documented in PD and contribute to visuomotor deficits that exacerbate balance and gait impairments. While studies have examined oculomotor manifestations in PD and the effects of general exercise on balance and falls, evidence for isolated eye (oculomotor) exercises as a targeted intervention remains limited. Preliminary findings from dual-task oculomotor training combined with treadmill walking have shown improvements in unilateral and static balance parameters, and vestibular rehabilitation incorporating oculomotor components has demonstrated positive effects on oculomotor function and balance in small PD cohorts. No prior randomized trials have directly evaluated the isolated impact of structured eye exercises on motor performance, balance, and fall risk in PD patients. This study addresses this gap by evaluating an 8-week synchronous home-based tele eye exercise program designed specifically for PD patients, delivered via teleconference to enhance accessibility, adherence, and safety while minimizing costs and travel burdens associated with in-clinic therapy.

Conditions

• Parkinson Disease

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Home based Eye Exercises	The participants in the study group will be given an online personalized eye exercise program at home. Synchronous tele-exercise will be delivered using the free teleconference application (app) (Google Meets software). The groups of tele-exercises will be private and the professional will send the link for each training session and will control the access of the participants. Each session will be 30 to 45 min in duration for 3 days per week over 8 weeks, 24 sessions in total. The program includes progressive oculomotor exercises such as horizontal/vertical saccades to targets, smooth pursuit tracking, vergence (near-far focus shifts), fixation stability, and combined eye-head movements, with progression in speed, amplitude, and complexity.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-05-01
• Primary completion: 2026-09-01
• Completion: 2026-09-01
• First posted: 2026-04-13
• Last updated: 2026-04-13

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Iran