---
title: Improve speech clarity with stimulation
nct_id: NCT05182892
phase: NA
status: RECRUITING
sponsor: Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern
study_type: INTERVENTIONAL
canonical_url: "https://parkinsonspathways.com/trial/NCT05182892"
clinicaltrials_gov: "https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05182892"
last_fetched: "2026-05-10T14:05:26.316Z"
source: "Parkinson's Pathways (curated)"
---
# Improve speech clarity with stimulation

**Goal (in five words):** Improve speech clarity with stimulation

**Official Title:** REducing SPEECH-related Side-effects of Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease Via Automated Speech Analysis

**Trial ID:** [NCT05182892](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05182892)

## Key Facts

- **Phase:** NA
- **Status:** RECRUITING
- **Study Type:** INTERVENTIONAL
- **Sponsor:** Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern
- **Target Enrollment:** 45 participants
- **Start Date:** 2021-12-13
- **Completion Date:** 2025-11-30
- **Conditions:** Parkinson Disease
- **Interventions:** Change of stimulation amplitudes in dopaminergic OFF drug state
- **Intervention Types:** OTHER

## Summary For Families

Aims to ease the speech worsening, called STN-DBS-induced dysarthria, that some people develop after subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation. The team adjusts the electrical stimulation amplitudes in the STN while you are off dopaminergic medication, using automated speech analysis to detect clearer speech so clinicians can find lower or different settings that improve clarity without losing motor benefit. Seeking adults 18+ with idiopathic Parkinson's who had bilateral STN-DBS at least three months ago, who notice worsening of speech tied to DBS, who are fluent in German or Swiss‑German, cognitively able to consent (MoCA >20), and with stable meds and DBS settings recently.

## Eligibility

- **Minimum age:** 18 Years
- **Sex:** ALL

### Full Criteria

```
Inclusion Criteria:

* Idiopathic Parkinson-Syndrome according to the Movement Disorders Society Criteria
* Treatment with bilateral deep brain stimulation in the subthalamic nucleus (for parts 1, 2 and 3)
* Time since DBS-STN operation ≥ 3 month (for parts 1, 2 and 3)
* Able to give informed consent as documented by signature
* Fluent in Swiss-German or German
* STN-DBS-induced dysarthria. In an operational definition, all PD-patients who reported -worsening of speech time-locked to STN-DBS implantation or patients with dysarthria on chronic stimulation improving with reduction of stimulation amplitudes in the context of postoperative routine follow up will be defined as having STN-DBS-induced dysarthria

Exclusion Criteria:

* Dysarthria caused in addition by a condition other than PD or DBS (e.g. stroke, myasthenia)
* Clinical diagnosis of aphasia
* Inability to follow the procedures of the study, e.g. due to language problems, psychological disorders and dementia. A Montreal Cognitive Assesment (MoCa) will be performed and patients with ≤ 20 of 30 points will be excluded
* Change of parkinsonian medication in the last four weeks prior to inclusion in part 1 and 3
* Change of STN-DBS parameters in the last four weeks prior to inclusion (for parts 1 and 3)
* Depression with acute suicidal ideation
* Pregnant women
```

## Locations (2)

- Czech Technical University Prague, Prague, Czechia _(50.0880, 14.4208)_
- University Hospital Inselspital, Berne, Bern, Switzerland _(46.9481, 7.4474)_
  - Paul Krack, Prof. — (CONTACT) — 31 632 21 68 — paul.krack@insel.ch
  - Mario Sousa, MD — (CONTACT) — 31 664 23 49 — mario.sousa@insel.ch

## Central Contacts

- Paul Krack, Prof. — (CONTACT) — 31 632 21 68 — paul.krack@insel.ch
- Mario Sousa, MD — (CONTACT) — 31 664 23 49 — mario.sousa@insel.ch

---

*Canonical: https://parkinsonspathways.com/trial/NCT05182892*  
*HTML version: https://parkinsonspathways.com/trial/NCT05182892*  
*Source data: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05182892*