Wednesday, July 2, 2025 7/2/2025

SCH: Context-aware Freezing of Gait mitigation in real-world setting

Award Number: R01NS120560
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 01/01/2021
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 11/30/2024

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SCH: Context-aware Freezing of Gait mitigation in real-world setting - This project seeks to reduce the burden of freezing of gait (FoG), which is suffered by over 50% of people living with Parkinson’s disease (PD). FoG is a common, devastating manifestation of PD for which there is no cure or adequate medical or surgical treatment. FoG has been defined as a “brief, episodic absence or marked reduction of forward progression of the feet, despite the intention to walk”. It is widely known that FoG episodes are frequently triggered by various environmental and psychological factors. The most commonly recognized triggers include start hesitation (freezing upon gait initiation), walking through tight quarters, turn hesitation (freezing when changing directions), approaching a visual target, dual tasking, and stressful, time sensitive situations such as entering an elevator before the doors close. Each individual with PD is unique with regard to how sensitive they are to these various triggers, underscoring the need for customized therapeutic approaches. A promising option for treating FoG is the use of tactile stimulation, however, no technology to date can provide customized therapy that adapts to the individual’s needs with regard to the specific triggering scenarios. In this proposed project, the Virginia Commonwealth University and William & Mary teams will work together to develop novel technology that deploys context-specific vibration stimuli tailored to the individual’s needs, with the goal of preventing or mitigating FoG. In Task 1, we will design and develop a wearable system for automatic FoG detection and vibration delivery using existing technology (Ultigesture UG motion sensors, PDVibe3, and a smartphone). The device will be able to detect FoG immediately upon occurrence. In Task 2, we will determine the optimum dose of vibration frequency and amplitude for the five most common environmental and psychological triggers for FoG in a controlled environment (in the clinical lab). In Task 3, we will integrate a global positioning mechanism into the wearable system so that the device can recognize environmental triggers of FoG. We will program the optimal parameters of vibration determined in Task 2 (for each of the five triggers) to deploy in response to corresponding environmental and psychological triggers and will test it in a real-world setting (a public place). Upon completion of this project we will have created and tested a closed-loop system that will deliver customized vibration therapy to people with PD at the precise moment it is needed to prevent or mitigate FoG episodes. This project aligns directly with the NINDS mission to reduce the burden of neurological diseases such as PD.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = -$88,292 )
2025	2024	VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY	910 WEST FRANKLIN ST	RICHMOND	VA	23284	RICHMOND CITY	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	001	4	4/9/2025	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$0
2025	2024	VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY	910 WEST FRANKLIN ST	RICHMOND	VA	23284	RICHMOND CITY	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	4	4/9/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$88,291
														Subtotal = -$88,292

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $228,850 )
2024	2024	VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY	910 WEST FRANKLIN ST	RICHMOND	VA	23284	RICHMOND CITY	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	001	4	2/22/2024	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$1
2024	2024	VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY	910 WEST FRANKLIN ST	RICHMOND	VA	23284	RICHMOND CITY	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	4	2/21/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$179,621
2024	2024	VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY	910 WEST FRANKLIN ST	RICHMOND	VA	23284	RICHMOND CITY	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	002	4	4/16/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$49,228
														Subtotal = $228,850

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $391,722 )
2023	2023	VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY	910 WEST FRANKLIN ST	RICHMOND	VA	23284	RICHMOND CITY	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	005	3	5/26/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
2023	2023	VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY	910 WEST FRANKLIN ST	RICHMOND	VA	23284	RICHMOND CITY	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	003	3	1/4/2023	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$68,158
2023	2023	VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY	910 WEST FRANKLIN ST	RICHMOND	VA	23284	RICHMOND CITY	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	002	3	12/22/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$212,792
2023	2023	VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY	910 WEST FRANKLIN ST	RICHMOND	VA	23284	RICHMOND CITY	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	006	3	7/24/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$87,129
2023	2023	VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY	910 WEST FRANKLIN ST	RICHMOND	VA	23284	RICHMOND CITY	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	004	3	2/2/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$23,643
2023	2022	VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY	910 WEST FRANKLIN ST	RICHMOND	VA	23284	RICHMOND CITY	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	2	12/14/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
2023	2022	VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY	910 WEST FRANKLIN ST	RICHMOND	VA	23284	RICHMOND CITY	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	001	2	12/14/2022	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$0
														Subtotal = $391,722

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $246,878 )
2022	2022	VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY	912 W FRANKLIN ST	RICHMOND	VA	23284	RICHMOND CITY	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	001	2	12/22/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$46,627
2022	2022	VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY	912 W FRANKLIN ST	RICHMOND	VA	23284	RICHMOND CITY	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	002	2	5/24/2022	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$41,668
2022	2022	VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY	912 W FRANKLIN ST	RICHMOND	VA	23284	RICHMOND CITY	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	2	12/1/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$231,316
2022	2022	VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY	912 W FRANKLIN ST	RICHMOND	VA	23284	RICHMOND CITY	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	003	2	6/23/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$20,521
														Subtotal = $246,878

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $287,565 )
2021	2021	VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY	912 W FRANKLIN ST	RICHMOND	VA	23284	RICHMOND CITY	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	001	1	7/16/2021	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$68,158
2021	2021	VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY	912 W FRANKLIN ST	RICHMOND	VA	23284	RICHMOND CITY	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	1	12/28/2020	NEW	$219,407
														Subtotal = $287,565

Grand Total All Awards = $1,066,723

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SCH: Context-aware Freezing of Gait mitigation in real-world setting

Award Number: R01NS120560

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 01/01/2021

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 11/30/2024

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