---
title: Determine side that reduces freezing
nct_id: NCT06994728
phase: NA
status: RECRUITING
sponsor: Medical University of South Carolina
study_type: INTERVENTIONAL
canonical_url: "https://parkinsonspathways.com/trial/NCT06994728"
clinicaltrials_gov: "https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06994728"
last_fetched: "2026-05-10T14:04:44.616Z"
source: "Parkinson's Pathways (curated)"
---
# Determine side that reduces freezing

**Goal (in five words):** Determine side that reduces freezing

**Official Title:** Characterization of Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation Laterality on Visuospatial Attention and Correlation to Freezing of Gait in Parkinson's Disease

**Trial ID:** [NCT06994728](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06994728)

## Key Facts

- **Phase:** NA
- **Status:** RECRUITING
- **Study Type:** INTERVENTIONAL
- **Sponsor:** Medical University of South Carolina
- **Target Enrollment:** 12 participants
- **Start Date:** 2025-04-01
- **Completion Date:** 2026-06
- **Conditions:** Parkinson Disease, Gait Disorders, Neurologic, Visuospatial/Perceptual Abilities
- **Interventions:** Left STN-DBS on, right STN-DBS off first, Right STN-DBS on, left STN-DBS off first
- **Intervention Types:** DEVICE

## Summary For Families

The team wants to know whether turning on deep brain stimulation on the left versus the right subthalamic nucleus changes visuospatial attention, and whether those side-specific effects are linked to freezing of gait in Parkinson's. To find out, they will temporarily switch bilateral STN-DBS so only one side is on at a time and test attention and gait; STN-DBS delivers targeted electrical pulses to the subthalamic nucleus to modulate motor and related cognitive circuits, which helps movement but can sometimes alter attention depending on the side stimulated. Adults 18 and older who already have bilateral STN-DBS and experience freezing of gait can join, while people with dementia, uncorrected vision or hearing problems, or who are pregnant are excluded.

## Eligibility

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

### Full Criteria

```
Inclusion Criteria:

* Subjects above 18 years of age
* Subjects with freezing of gait
* Subjects with bilateral STN-DBS surgery as part of their clinical care for Parkinson's disease

Exclusion Criteria:

* Uncorrected visual or hearing impairments, as indicated by self-report
* Individuals who are pregnant or expect to become pregnant during the course of the study
* Individuals with dementia or relevant brain lesions impacting cognition or gait
```

## Locations (1)

- Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States _(32.7763, -79.9327)_
  - Nathan DeTurk, MD, MBA — (CONTACT) — 843-792-3221 — deturk@musc.edu
  - Nathan DeTurk, MD, MBA — (PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR)

## Central Contacts

- Nathan DeTurk, MD — (CONTACT) — 843-792-3221 — deturk@musc.edu

---

*Canonical: https://parkinsonspathways.com/trial/NCT06994728*  
*HTML version: https://parkinsonspathways.com/trial/NCT06994728*  
*Source data: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06994728*