Improve swallowing safety and function
- Trial ID
- NCT07153692
- Official Title
- Clinical Efficacy and Mechanism of tDCS for Dysphagia in Patients With Parkinson's Disease
- Goal
- Improve swallowing safety and function
- Phase
- NA
- Status
- RECRUITING
- Sponsor
- Wang Ping
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Enrollment
- 58 participants
- Conditions
- Parkinson's Disease and Parkinsonism, Dysphagia
- Interventions
- tDCS, Conventional Dysphagia Treatment, sham tDCS
Summary For Families
The goal is to improve swallowing safety and function in people with Parkinson's disease or related disorders, lowering the risk of choking and aspiration. The approach uses transcranial direct current stimulation, a low, noninvasive electrical current applied over the brain areas that control swallowing to boost cortical excitability and plasticity, given alongside standard dysphagia therapy and compared with a sham stimulation. They are looking for adults 18 to 100 with VFSS-confirmed dysphagia and a diagnosis of Parkinson's, MSA, or PSP, who are cognitively intact (MMSE >23), can consent and cooperate, and do not have other causes of dysphagia, active pneumonia, severe organ failure, or metal implants.
Locations
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is this trial testing?
- This trial is studying tDCS. The goal is to improve swallowing safety and function in people with Parkinson's disease or related disorders, lowering the risk of choking and aspiration. The approach uses transcranial direct current stimulation, a low, noninvasive electrical current applied over the brain areas that control swallowing to boost cortical excitability and plasticity, given alongside standard dysphagia therapy and compared with a sham stimulation. They are looking for adults 18 to 100 with VFSS-confirmed dysphagia and a diagnosis of Parkinson's, MSA, or PSP, who are cognitively intact (MMSE >23), can consent and cooperate, and do not have other causes of dysphagia, active pneumonia, severe organ failure, or metal implants.
- Who can participate?
- Participants must be between 18 Years and 100 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 4 years and 5 months.
- 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.