Home neck stimulation improves walking
- Trial ID
- NCT06562569
- Official Title
- Stimulating the Vagus Nerve to Improve Gait in Veterans With Parkinson's Disease
- Goal
- Home neck stimulation improves walking
- Phase
- NA
- Status
- RECRUITING
- Sponsor
- VA Office of Research and Development
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Enrollment
- 40 participants
- Conditions
- Parkinson's Disease
- Interventions
- non-invasive cervical vagal nerve stimulation ncVNS
Plain-Language Summary
They're testing whether gentle electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve can reduce freezing of gait and improve walking and balance in veterans with Parkinson's. A small, non-invasive device is placed on the side of the neck and delivers short electrical pulses through the skin to activate vagal pathways that influence motor control, attention, and balance, it is used alongside usual Parkinson's medications rather than replacing levodopa and participants must stay on stable meds. Eligible volunteers are age 50 to 88, have Parkinson's at Hoehn and Yahr stages 2 or 3, report freezing of gait, and can walk for two minutes without an assistive device, with meds stable for at least four weeks. People with serious heart or carotid disease, implanted metal or devices such as DBS, recent spine or leg surgery, recent seizures or syncope, or who take certain medicines like anticholinergics or cholinesterase inhibitors are excluded.
Locations
- Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL, Hines, Illinois, United States
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is this trial testing?
- This trial is studying non-invasive cervical vagal nerve stimulation ncVNS. They're testing whether gentle electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve can reduce freezing of gait and improve walking and balance in veterans with Parkinson's. A small, non-invasive device is placed on the side of the neck and delivers short electrical pulses through the skin to activate vagal pathways that influence motor control, attention, and balance, it is used alongside usual Parkinson's medications rather than replacing levodopa and participants must stay on stable meds. Eligible volunteers are age 50 to 88, have Parkinson's at Hoehn and Yahr stages 2 or 3, report freezing of gait, and can walk for two minutes without an assistive device, with meds stable for at least four weeks. People with serious heart or carotid disease, implanted metal or devices such as DBS, recent spine or leg surgery, recent seizures or syncope, or who take certain medicines like anticholinergics or cholinesterase inhibitors are excluded.
- Who can participate?
- Participants must be between 50 Years and 88 Years.
- Where is this trial located?
- This trial is recruiting at 1 location.
- Does it cost anything to join?
- No. There is no cost to participate. Study-related care and treatment are provided at no charge.
- How long does the trial last?
- This trial is estimated to last approximately 1 year.