Reduce movement slowness and fatigue
- Trial ID
- NCT06883266
- Official Title
- Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) to Improve Motor Function and Motor Fatigue in Parkinson's Patients
- Goal
- Reduce movement slowness and fatigue
- Phase
- NA
- Status
- RECRUITING
- Sponsor
- Sanford Health
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Enrollment
- 64 participants
- Conditions
- Parkinsons Disease (PD)
- Interventions
- transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), Sham (No Treatment)
Summary For Families
The goal is to improve motor function and reduce motor fatigue in people with Parkinson's, targeting the slowness and tiring that make daily activities harder. It uses transcranial direct current stimulation, a gentle, noninvasive electrical current applied to the scalp to boost excitability in motor brain areas and help recalibrate the circuits that control movement; sessions are compared to sham (no treatment), and the approach is intended to be used alongside your usual Parkinson's medications rather than replace them. The trial is looking for adults with a clinical PD diagnosis who have at least two of the core motor signs and can consent, and it excludes people with dementia (MOCA < 21), deep brain stimulation, psychosis, multiple sclerosis, stroke, COPD, or congestive heart failure.
Locations
- Sanford Brain and Spine Center, Fargo, North Dakota, United States
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is this trial testing?
- This trial is studying transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). The goal is to improve motor function and reduce motor fatigue in people with Parkinson's, targeting the slowness and tiring that make daily activities harder. It uses transcranial direct current stimulation, a gentle, noninvasive electrical current applied to the scalp to boost excitability in motor brain areas and help recalibrate the circuits that control movement; sessions are compared to sham (no treatment), and the approach is intended to be used alongside your usual Parkinson's medications rather than replace them. The trial is looking for adults with a clinical PD diagnosis who have at least two of the core motor signs and can consent, and it excludes people with dementia (MOCA < 21), deep brain stimulation, psychosis, multiple sclerosis, stroke, COPD, or congestive heart failure.
- Who can participate?
- Eligibility criteria vary. Check the full listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for detailed inclusion and exclusion criteria.
- 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 2 years.
- Will I get the real drug or a placebo?
- It depends on the trial design. Some Parkinson's trials are placebo controlled, meaning a portion of participants get an inactive comparison while others get the experimental treatment. Some use crossover designs so everyone eventually receives the active treatment at some point. Observational trials do not use a placebo at all because they are not testing a new treatment. The consent form for any specific trial spells out the design and your odds of being assigned to placebo before you enroll.
- How often will I need to visit the study site?
- Visit frequency varies by trial. Many Parkinson's studies require an in person visit every 4 to 12 weeks during the active treatment phase, with shorter or longer gaps depending on the design. The site coordinator can give you the full visit schedule before you sign anything, so you know what the time commitment looks like.
- Can I leave the trial if I change my mind?
- Yes. You can withdraw from any clinical trial at any time, for any reason, without affecting your standard medical care. Trials are voluntary by law. The team may ask if you are willing to do a brief exit visit so they can collect safety information, but you are not obligated.
- Will travel or parking be reimbursed?
- Many trials reimburse for parking, mileage, and sometimes lodging if the site is far from your home. Reimbursement policies vary by sponsor and site. When you contact the trial team, ask specifically what is covered and how reimbursement is processed.
- Can my spouse or care partner come with me to visits?
- In most cases yes, and it is often encouraged. Care partners can help with notes, questions, and getting home safely after a long visit. Some study assessments do need to happen one on one, but care partners are usually welcome for the rest of the appointment.