The GAT Study is ACTIVELY RECRUITING adults with Parkinson’s disease — updated 10 Feb 2026.

This research project is approved by the University of New South Wales Ethics Committee (HC230093).

Falls are very common and can have serious consequences for older adults and those living with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Research has shown that reduced executive function, poor dynamic balance and impaired stepping ability are key independent predictors of falls in these groups.

In Parkinson’s disease, thinking and memory problems often become worse as the disease progresses, and this goes hand‑in‑hand with a higher risk of falling. Difficulties with attention and with ​“executive functions” — such as remembering visual information, handling conflicting information, and stopping or changing an action — all play an important role in staying safe while walking. When these abilities decline, the risk of falling increases for both older adults and people with PD.

Being able to take fast, well‑coordinated steps is also essential for recovering balance if someone trips, slips, is pushed, missteps, or suddenly needs to avoid an unexpected obstacle. Unfortunately, these quick stepping responses are often slowed or less effective in older people and in people with PD.

To explore the effects of ageing and PD on brain activity, researchers at NeuRA have developed a treadmill-based protocol to measure how well someone can adapt their walking to changing situations.

What are the aims of this study?

The GAT Study team are investigating how well healthy adults and people with PD adapt their walking pattern under time constraints when walking on a treadmill. With functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), they will also be able to observe how this relates to brain activity and hope to reinforce our understanding of fall risk during walking.

What is involved?

Eligible volunteers will be invited to the Falls, Balance & Injury Research Centre at NeuRA to complete a series of assessments, including a gait adaptability assessment.

• Online Questionnaires — complete surveys on basic health, PD symptoms and quality of life before the physical assessments (approx. 30mins).
• Clinical Assessments — complete a series of cognitive, balance and PD specific assessments before the treadmil-based gait adaptability assessment (approx. 1hr).
• Treadmill-based Gait Adaptability Assessment — complete a series of walking tasks on a treadmill whilst wearing a full-body safety harness and the fNIRS kit (approx. 1hr)

Who is eligible?

The GAT Study team are looking for volunteers with PD who:

• are aged 18 years or older
• are living independently in the community
• are able to walk for 15 minutes continuously without a mobility aid
• have no medical history of stroke, colour-blindness or cognitive impairment
• have no other diagnosis of neuro-degenerative or psychiatric condition

*Participating in this study is voluntary. It will not cost you any money, nor will you be paid.

Get in touch

To find out more or register, contact the GAT Study team today.

• Phone — (02) 9348 3122 or (02) 9399 1067
• Email — email hidden; JavaScript is required

Alternatively, fill in the Expression of Interest Form below and a member of the team will get in touch or download the Participant Information Statement & Consent Form below for a more detailed description of the research project.