Slow-SPEED UK Version 2
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Slowing Parkinson’s Early through Exercise Dosage – United Kingdom
IRAS ID
362207
Contact name
Alastair Noyce
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen Mary University of London (Joint Research Management Office)
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Parkinson’s disease is a common neurological condition that affects more than 150,000 people in the UK. At present, there are no treatments proven to prevent or slow the disease. Many years before Parkinson’s is diagnosed, some people experience early non-motor changes. One of the most common is a reduced sense of smell, known as hyposmia. Hyposmia is common and has many possible causes. Although it is linked at a population level with a higher chance of developing Parkinson’s disease later in life, most people with hyposmia will never develop Parkinson’s.
Slow-SPEED-UK is an 18-month, double-blind, randomised controlled feasibility study. This means the study is designed to find out whether a research programme can be delivered safely and practically. The main aim is to determine whether adults aged 40 years or over with a reduced sense of smell can safely take part in, and sustain, a long-term, fully remote digital physical-activity programme that encourages an increase in daily walking. The study focuses on feasibility outcomes such as willingness to join, ability to follow the programme over time, engagement with digital tools, adherence to activity targets, and completion of study assessments.
The study will recruit 110 adults with confirmed hyposmia who are not already highly physically active. Participants will then be randomly allocated to one of two groups. One group will be encouraged to gradually increase their daily step count, while the other group will be asked to make a small increase (around 10%) in daily steps. Both groups will use the same smartphone app and wearable device. Neither the participants nor the researchers will know which intervention each participant receives.
Participants will take part for approximately 18 months, with assessments at the start, at 9 months (remote), and at the end. Some participants may also choose to provide optional blood or skin samples.
REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/LO/0118
Date of REC Opinion
10 Feb 2026
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion