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- [Home](/)
- [Living with Parkinson's](/living-with-parkinsons)
- [Treatment](/living-with-parkinsons/treatment)
 
 #  Clinical Trials 

 

   

  ## 💡 Quick Summary 

 - Clinical trials are research studies that test potential new treatments, therapies or approaches in people.
- Clinical trials do not replace standard Parkinson’s care. Most people continue their usual treatment while participating.
- Clinical trials can lead to better treatments and care for people with Parkinson’s.

 

   ![Healthcare professionals discussing serious topic](/sites/default/files/styles/no_sizing/public/images/clinicaltrials.jpg?itok=qdyKtV0c)  Clinical trials are research studies that test new treatments and approaches to care in people. In Parkinson’s disease (PD), clinical trials help researchers learn what is safe and what works, and are an important step in developing new treatments. Each study is different, and participation is always voluntary.

## Current Treatments vs. Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are different from the treatments your care team recommends, but they are closely connected. The treatments your care team recommends, also called the standard of care, are widely used by doctors because research and experience show they help manage symptoms. These treatments are part of everyday care for people with Parkinson’s.

 **An intervention is the treatment or approach being studied in a clinical trial. Interventions may include medications, devices, therapies or structured programs such as exercise or speech therapy.**

 

 Some trials focus on controlling symptoms, while others explore ways to slow or stop the disease. Taking part in a clinical trial does not replace the treatments your care team recommends. Most people continue their usual care while participating.

Clinical trials are an important step in finding out if new treatments are safe and effective before they become part of standard Parkinson’s care.

| #### Current Treatments ("Standard of Care") | #### Clinical Trials |
|---|---|
| Manage symptoms with treatments known to work | Test new treatments or new uses for existing treatments |
| Supported by research and by medical experience | Being studied to see if they are safe and effective |
| Prescribed and available through your care team | Only available to study participants |
| Adjusted to fit your needs | Participants follow strict study rules and procedures |
| Ongoing part of your care | Usually done alongside your regular care |

## How are new treatments approved?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires new treatments to go through three phases of clinical trials. After approval, some treatments enter a fourth phase. Each phase focuses on a key question about the treatment.

 ![Clinical trial phases](/sites/default/files/styles/no_sizing/public/images/clinical-trial-phases.png?itok=ktNwWEOZ)  ## Is a clinical trial right for me?

Deciding whether to explore a clinical trial is a personal choice. It depends on your goals, your health and how comfortable you feel with research.

Some people join clinical trials to try a new treatment that might help them. They may also want to learn more about their Parkinson’s or contribute to research that may benefit others. Others may choose to focus on their current treatment plan instead.

Take time to ask questions and talk with your care team. This can help you decide if a clinical trial feels right for you. Then consider these factors as you make your decision and plan your next steps:

 - ###   Stage of Your Parkinson’s   
    
    Clinical trials may be designed for people at certain points in their Parkinson’s journey. This could be based on when you were diagnosed, the symptoms you have or your treatment history.
    
    Some trials focus on specific groups, like people with certain genetic changes. These trials offer a more personalized approach. [Learn more](/advancing-research/understanding-research "Understanding Research") about personalized medicine and genetic-focused trials.
- ###   Lifestyle and Time Commitment   
    
    Participation in a trial may involve study visits, tests or follow-up appointments. Think about how a trial would fit with your daily life, work and responsibilities.
- ###   Personal Goals   
    
    Think about what matters most to you right now. Are you interested in accessing treatments that are still being studied? Do you want to contribute to research? Or do you feel more comfortable staying with your current care plan rather than making changes?
- ###   Comfort with Uncertainty and Possible Risks   
    
    A clinical trial may not work as expected. There may be side effects that are not yet known, and even known effects can vary from person to person. Think about how comfortable you feel with this as you consider your options.
 
  ##  Types of Clinical Trials 

 - ###   Drug Trials    
    
    Study medications to learn whether they are safe and effective. These studies may test new medications, new combinations of medications or new ways of using current treatments.
- ###   Device Trials    
    
    Evaluate medical devices designed to help manage symptoms or support daily activities. This may include movement aids, symptom monitoring tools or treatment delivery systems.
- ###   Behavior or Therapy Trials    
    
    Study non-drug approaches such as exercise programs, physical therapy, speech therapy or other interventions that may support symptom management and quality of life.
    
    Some trials aim to slow or stop disease progression rather than treat symptoms. These are called disease-modifying therapies. [Learn more.](/advancing-research/understanding-research "Understanding Research")
 
 ## What to Expect When You Participate in a Clinical Trial

Clinical trials follow a structured plan. While each study is different, many involve the following elements:

 - ###   Visits, Tests and Procedures   
    
    This may include clinic visits, medical tests, questionnaires, taking study medications or following specific procedures. You will work with a study team, which may include doctors, nurses and research staff. Before you decide to join, the study team explains what is required in a process called informed consent. This includes details about the study, known risks and possible benefits and what participation involves. You will have time to ask questions and decide if you feel comfortable before signing.
- ###   Different Study Groups   
    
    Many studies compare groups to understand how an intervention works. Participants are often randomly assigned to receive the study intervention, standard care or a placebo (an inactive treatment) and may not know which group they are in.
    
    **Assignment is random, meaning each participant has an equal chance of being placed in any study group, similar to flipping a coin.**
- ###   Follow-up After the Study   
    
    Some trials include follow-up visits after the study ends. These visits help monitor health and understand how the study treatment worked. The study team explains the timeline and expectations before participation begins.
 
 ## What are potential benefits and risks of participating in a clinical trial?

Clinical trials test new treatments, which means there can be both benefits and risks. Trials are carefully designed to protect participant safety, but uncertainty is part of research.

**Possible benefits**:

- More contact with healthcare professionals, along with access to potential new treatments
- Greater understanding of Parkinson’s and your own health
- Contribution to research that may benefit others

 **Many current Parkinson’s treatments exist because people volunteered for clinical trials in the past.**

 

 **Possible risks:**

- Side effects from the study treatment, including some that may not be known or expected
- Lack of benefit from the treatment
- A study schedule that may be difficult to fit into daily life

  ![bob_pearson](/sites/default/files/styles/535x680/public/images/bob_pearson.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=C3ATqSMv)  

 MY PD STORY: Bob Pearson 

 I have been in about 15 clinical trials, to help find new treatments for this awful disease. It gives me a real shot in the arm when I show up and meet the front-line researchers who are racing to find a cure or at least a treatment to slow the progression.

 

 [ READ Bob's STORY ](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/bob-pearson) 

 

  ![John Rosiak rock climbing](/sites/default/files/styles/535x680/public/images/John%20Rosiak.png?h=c9aea1bc&itok=bNE8pM8Q)  

 MY PD STORY: John Rosiak 

 I immediately went to clinicaltrials.gov to see what studies I should sign up for, thinking I could learn more about my new situation, and how to get a handle on it.

 

 [ READ John's STORY ](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/john-rosiak) 

 

 ## Talk to Your Doctor About Clinical Trials

Your care team — especially your neurologist — can help you think through whether a clinical trial may be a good option. This conversation can clarify how a study relates to your diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment goals and what participation would involve. Talking with your doctor or the study team before joining a study can support an informed decision.

**Questions to Ask**  
You may want to ask about the purpose of the study, what participation would involve, possible side effects, time commitment and how the trial compares with current treatment options.

**Coordinating Care During a Trial**  
If you decide to participate in a clinical trial, your care team can help coordinate communication between the study team and those involved in your ongoing care.

## Finding and Exploring Trials

There are several ways to learn about clinical trials for Parkinson’s and explore studies that may be a good fit for you. These websites list clinical trials and study details:

- [Join A Study](/advancing-research/join-study "Join A Study") — Parkinson’s Foundation resource that shares information about Parkinson’s research studies, including Foundation-supported trials
- [ClinicalTrials.Gov](http://ClinicalTrials.Gov) — A public database that lists active and completed clinical studies in the United States and around the world

Reviewing study details can help you understand your options and decide what you may want to explore next.

 ###  Haven’t started Parkinson’s medication yet? 

Some clinical trials — especially those testing new treatments — look for people who have not started Parkinson’s medication (sometimes called “treatment naïve”). This helps researchers understand how a treatment works without the effects of other medications.

 

 ###  Our Research 

The Parkinson’s Foundation study [PD GENEration: Powered by the Parkinson’s Foundation](/advancing-research/our-research/pdgeneration "PD GENEration: Powered by the Parkinson’s Foundation") focuses on the genetic links to Parkinson’s and offers genetic testing and counseling at no cost. Participants can learn whether genetics may play a role in their Parkinson’s and may also have additional ways to learn about clinical trial options through the [PD Trial Navigator](/advancing-research/our-research/pdgeneration/post-study#navigator "Post-Study Support").

 [LEARN MORE](/advancing-research/our-research/pdgeneration) 

 

 ### Information to Have Ready

When exploring trials, it can be useful to have your diagnosis date, current symptoms, medications and treatment history as well as other medical conditions that you have.

### What to Do After Finding a Clinical Trial

After identifying a potential clinical trial, review the study details, talk with your care team and contact the study team to ask questions and learn more about participation. **Reaching out to a study team does not mean you are committing to take part. You can ask questions and take time to decide. Even if you choose to join, you can stop at any time.**

### Make Sure a Trial is Legitimate

Be careful with trials that make big promises, skip over risks or ask for payment. Clinical trials do not charge people to take part. Trials should have approval from an institutional review board (IRB). You can request to see the IRB submission for more details on the study. Except for some low risk research like surveys and focus groups, the researcher should ask you to sign an informed consent form and walk you through the potential risks and benefits of participating before you sign the form.

### Clinical Trials Are a Personal Choice

There is no obligation to take part in research. Not taking part does not affect access to Parkinson’s care, treatment options or benefits. Everyone’s situation is different. Decisions should reflect your needs, priorities and comfort levels.

*Page reviewed by Dr. Michael Schwarzchild, Movement Disorders Neurologist at Massachussets General Hospital, Dr. Ruth Schneider, Movement Disorders Neurologist at Strong Memorial Hospital at the University of Rochester , and Dr, Roy Alcalay, Movement Disorders Neurologist at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center*

 ##   Join the Fight Against Parkinson's  

 Support ground-breaking research, care and community outreach

 

 [$35](https://secure3.convio.net/prkorg/site/Donation2?11283.donation=form1&df_id=11283&mfc_pref=T&l&set.DonationLevel=26812) [$50](https://secure3.convio.net/prkorg/site/Donation2?11283.donation=form1&df_id=11283&mfc_pref=T&l&set.DonationLevel=26813) [$100](https://secure3.convio.net/prkorg/site/Donation2?11283.donation=form1&df_id=11283&mfc_pref=T&l&set.DonationLevel=26814) [$250](https://secure3.convio.net/prkorg/site/Donation2?11283.donation=form1&df_id=11283&mfc_pref=T&l&set.DonationLevel=26815) 

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 ###  Order a Parkinson’s Hospital Safety Guide 

 The Hospital Safety Guide is a resource for people with Parkinson's and their care partners filled with useful tools and information to prepare for and navigate a hospital stay.

 [ORDER NOW](/resources-support/pd-library/order-publications) 

 [LEARN MORE](/resources-support/hospital-safety-guide) 

 

 

 ###  Join the PD GENEration Today 

 PD GENEration is an initiative that offers genetic testing and genetic counseling at no cost for people with Parkinson’s disease.

 [ENROLL NOW](/advancing-research/our-research/pdgeneration) 

 

 

 

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