Grants

Guided by our Science Advisory Board, the Davis Phinney Foundation has supported more than 30 research studies focused on exercise, nutrition, gait, speech, telemedicine, alternative therapies, and other interventions that affect quality of life. Many of these studies have progressed to late-stage clinical research. Others have gone on to receive NIH and PCORI funding. And others have become therapies that are being used today by people living with Parkinson’s.

Additionally, The Healthy Parkinson’s Communities grants program helped us realize our mission to help people with Parkinson’s live well today. By funding programs and initiatives that are unique to the places and people they are designed to support, we worked to eliminate barriers and expand Parkinson’s care for all.

Research Timeline

For more than a decade, we have supported innovative research, often investing in early-stage research ideas that have gone on to grow and make a huge impact on how people live with Parkinson’s. Scroll down to learn more and click on a study to read more about it.

2007
We funded early studies on deep brain stimulation (DBS), including projects on novel surgical techniques for placement, the impact of DBS on balance and gait, and the neurological mechanisms underlying the therapeutic benefits.
2009
The CHOP PD study established an important foundation for future intervention research by showing that people who do not exercise in the first two years following a Parkinson’s diagnosis experience a steeper decline in quality of life than those who do exercise.
2010
Looking at rhythmic auditory stimulation and gait training, researchers showed that an in-home program could reduce incidence of falling, as well as increase speed of walking and length of steps, both predictors of falling.
2010
In this groundbreaking study, the research team showed that aerobic exercise has the strong potential to slow Parkinson’s progression in newly diagnosed individuals who have not yet been treated with anti-Parkinson's medications.
2013
Evaluating the feasibility, acceptability, and impact of connecting people with Parkinson’s with specialists via telemedicine, the RACE-PD study played a key role in making the vision of providing expert care using technology a reality.
2014
This study confirmed that tai chi, a type of exercise that integrates motor and non-motor functions, has the potential to improve motor function, depression, and quality of life for people with Parkinson’s.
2016
In a study researching the impact of vocal fold augmentation using a short-acting injectable gel that can last up to three months, participants experienced improved loudness, voice quality, and intelligibility after treatment.
2018
Now in progress in a real-life setting, the Pedaling for Parkinson’s™ study is evaluating researchers’ prediction that community cycling classes––such as the existing, low-cost program often hosted by YMCAs––can slow the progression of Parkinson’s.
2022
Blood flow restriction (BFR) training is a novel way to deliver resistance exercise to people with more advanced Parkinson's. BFR uses an external cuff to partially occlude blood flow of an exercising limb, causing muscle hypoxia and triggering anaerobic metabolism even at low intensities (20-30% of 1-repetition max).

LATEST RESEARCH Articles

Learn about the latest in quality of life research by checking out the resources below.

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What’s New in Parkinson’s: April 2024
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