Recruiting · registry status

Testing a programme for thinking, movement and speech

Researchers are testing the Ronnie Gardiner Method in people with early to middle-stage Parkinson’s, looking at thinking, speech, balance, movement and mood.

Testing a treatment or activity · Study reference: NCT07863219

Plain-language introduction written with AI from the registry; not independently checked by a clinician. Read the original details below ↓

Open the official registry record ↗

Who can join?

Age 18 years and over · Does not accept healthy volunteers

These are starting points, not the full rules. The research team can tell you whether the study is right for your situation.

Read all the rules for taking part

Sex eligibility reported by registry: all

Inclusion Criteria: * diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease * safe, independent mobility and participation (Hoehn and Yahr stages 1-3) * a stable dopaminergic medication regimen for at least 4 weeks prior to study participation * willingness and ability to participate in a 10-week intervention program * willingness to participate in the study (signing of informed consent) Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of other neurological or severe psychiatric conditions that could interfere with participation or the interpretation of results (e.g., substance use disorder, severe depression, psychosis) * Severe visual or hearing impairments that limit the ability to follow group instructions as determined by a physician. * Physical limitations that inhibit safe participation in moderate-to-vigorous exercise or group rehabilitation.

Full study name & original research details

Official study title

Short-term Effects of an Intervention Consisting of 10 RGM (Ronnie Gardiner Method) Training Sessions on Cognitive Functions in Individuals With Early- to Mid-stage Parkinson's Disease.

Short title used by the registry

Short Term Effects of a Multimodal Intervention With RGM on Cognition in People With Parkinson's Disease.

Original description

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if the Ronnie Gardiner Method (RGM) works to improve cognitive functions in adults with Parkinson's disease (early to mid-stage). It will also learn about the secondary effects on speech, mobility, balance, and mood. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does a 10-week RGM intervention improve cognitive aspects, speech (indirectly through improved breathing), mobility, and balance in participants with Parkinson's disease? * How do participants experience the intensity, difficulty, and emotional impact of the RGM sessions?

Further description from the registry

The Ronnie Gardiner Method (RGM) is a cheerful, structured, multi-sensory brain exercise method that utilizes rhythm and music to stimulate movement, speech, and cognition. RGM makes playful use of rhythm, music, movement, speech, hearing, sight, and touch. During practice, the participant reads the symbols and 'translates' them into the corresponding movement, which is performed to the rhythm of the music. Preliminary research suggests RGM may have added value in promoting mobility, cognition, and well-being in neurological patients (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09638288.2024.2392037#d1e1192). The RGM exercise series for which participants are registering is integrated in the "Fit en Actief group classes" organized by the Ghent Flemish Parkinson League - in collaboration with Ghent University Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy. The classes will take place from October to December 2026 (10 weeks), with exercises taking place once a week for 1.5 hours (on Thursdays) in the practical classrooms of the Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy program (UH Ghent, B3). In addition to the exercise sessions themselves, participants will be asked to perform home exercises twice a week for 15 minutes. Before and after the exercise series, participants will be invited to take a pre- and post-test including administrative data, cognition, motor symptoms, balance, QOL. The training process (home exercises, experiences) will be inventoried by temporary questionnaires. Afterwards, participants will be surveyed regarding changes in medication during the exercise series, changes in the frequency or content of (physio)therapy, and perceived changes in attention, memory, and planning.

Conditions reported: Parkinson Disease (PD); Cognition; Quality of Life; Functional Mobility

Study type: Interventional
Interventions: Ronnie Gardiner Method
Phases: NA
Sponsor: University Ghent
Start date reported by registry: 2026-08-01 (actual)

Registry updated: 2026-10-07 · Status last verified by the registry submitter: 2026-10

Registry records retrieved 2026-10-11 (UTC). Individual records may have older updates. Recruitment and eligibility must be confirmed with the study team.

Contact the research team

Public study contacts supplied to the registry. Ask whether recruitment is still open and what participation involves.

Wim De Wilde, MSc · +32 472 57 58 08 · Wim.dewilde@ugent.be

Sanne Stegen, dr. · +32 485 50 70 82 · sanne.stegen@ugent.be

Study locations

Site status can differ from overall study status. “Status not reported” means local availability needs confirmation. Remote participation and travel arrangements must be checked with the team.

University Hospital Ghent

Ghent, Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium

Recruiting

Wim De Wilde, MSc · +32 472 57 58 08 · Wim.dewilde@ugent.be

Sanne Stegen, dr. · +32 485 50 70 82 · sanne.stegen@ugent.be

Sanne Stegen, Dr.

Wim De Wilde, MSc

Dirk Cambier, prof. dr.

The original descriptions and participation rules come from the registry. Participation is voluntary and does not guarantee benefit.