CuePD: From PhD research to a new community trial

Falls are one of the most common and challenging problems faced by people living with Parkinson’s. Difficulties with walking can affect confidence, independence, and quality of life. This makes the search for effective, accessible solutions an important area of research. Over the last few years, one project in the North East has been working towards that goal.

CuePD began as a PhD project (2022-2025) undertaken by Conor Wall, which was jointly funded by the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) North East and North Cumbria and Northumbria University. The vision was simple but ambitious: could a smartphone app help people with Parkinson’s improve their walking and potentially reduce their risk of falls?

Developing the CuePD app

Walking difficulties in Parkinson’s can include slower walking speed, shorter steps, and increased variability between steps. Research has shown that auditory cueing, a method to provide a regular rhythm for someone to walk to, can improve walking. However, traditional cueing methods are not always practical or engaging for long-term use.

CuePD was developed by Conor to provide personalised auditory cueing through music that people enjoy listening to. Importantly, the app was designed not only to deliver cues but also to measure walking performance using the sensors already available within a smartphone.

Over the course of the PhD, more than 120 people (including 60 people with Parkinson’s) generously volunteered their time to take part in a series of studies. Their contributions were instrumental in helping the research team develop, refine and evaluate the app.

What did the research find?

Conor’s studies demonstrated that the CuePD app could successfully measure important aspects of walking and deliver personalised music-based auditory cues. Results showed that cueing through the app could improve key features of walking, including:

Increasing walking speed
Increasing stride length
Reducing stepping variability

These findings are encouraging because gait variability and reduced walking performance are associated with an increased risk of falls in Parkinson’s. The work also demonstrated the potential for smartphone technology to provide a practical and accessible rehabilitation tool. No need for other costly devices to be worn on the feet or legs.

Throughout the project, people with Parkinson’s played a central role in shaping the research. Their feedback helped ensure the technology was relevant, usable and focused on addressing real-world challenges experienced in daily life.

Taking CuePD beyond the laboratory

While the findings from the PhD studies were promising, an important question remains: how well does the app work in everyday life? We are delighted that the team has recently been awarded funding from Parkinson’s UK to answer this question through a new study called CuePD-Extend (see second news story on the Parkinson’s UK website: https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/news/2026/weve-awarded-over-ps250000-to-new-research-projects-to-improve-challenging-symptoms).

Starting on 1 July 2026, CuePD-Extend will run for 18 months and will investigate how the CuePD app performs when used at home and in the community. The study aims to understand whether the benefits seen in controlled research settings can also be achieved in real-world environments where people carry out their everyday activities.

About the CuePD-Extend study

CuePD-Extend is a two-arm randomised controlled trial (RCT) that will recruit 40 people with Parkinson’s.

Participants will be randomly allocated to one of two groups:

CuePD intervention group: Participants will use the CuePD app for 12-weeks and receive personalised music-based auditory cueing designed to support their walking.
Information group: Participants will receive co-designed reading materials (i.e., materials designed with people with Parkinson’s) containing evidence-based information and guidance, developed using resources from Parkinson’s UK and other trusted organisations.

By comparing these two approaches, the research team hopes to better understand the effectiveness, acceptability and real-world impact of the CuePD app. Importantly, the study has been designed with input from people affected by Parkinson’s to ensure that both the intervention and supporting materials meet the needs of the Parkinson’s community.

Get involved

Recruitment for CuePD-Extend will begin in July 2026. The research team is looking for 40 people with Parkinson’s who would like to contribute to this exciting next stage of the project.

The success of CuePD so far has only been possible because of the incredible support of participants who have contributed their time, experiences and expertise. Their involvement has helped take an idea developed during a PhD and transform it into a promising digital rehabilitation tool.

As CuePD enters its next chapter, the team hopes to continue working alongside the Parkinson’s community to explore how technology can support walking, mobility and independence in everyday life.

If you are interested in hearing more about CuePD-Extend and future opportunities to take part, keep an eye on the Parkinson’s NEC-RIG website and upcoming research opportunities. If you have any questions about the project or are interested in finding out more, please contact: Dr Conor Wall: conor.wall@northumbria-healthcare.nhs.uk