NCT07226284 Effects of Vagal Nerve Stimulation on Leg Muscle Activity and Posture in Parkinson's Disease
| NCT ID | NCT07226284 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | University of Minnesota |
| Condition | PARKINSON DISEASE (Disorder) |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 75 participants |
| Start Date | 2026-02-10 |
| Primary Completion | 2029-01 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
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What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
This trial targets 75 participants in total. It began in 2026-02-10 with a primary completion date of 2029-01.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
This study is designed to better understand the mechanisms contributing to impaired activation of leg muscles in people with Parkinson's disease (PD) and to test if stimulation of a nerve at the neck can improve muscle activation, walking and balance.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease, * On stable medication for the preceding month and anticipated over the next 3 months, * Able to ambulate without the use of an assistive device for more than 50 meters. Control Cohort: * Age (± 3 years) and sex distribution matched to the PD cohort, * Able to ambulate without the use of an assistive device for more than 50 meters. Exclusion Criteria: * Failure to demonstrate capacity to consent (based on UBACC and/or MacArthur-CR), * History of significant neurological disorder (besides PD in the PD group), * History of stroke, traumatic brain injury, intracranial aneurysm, intracranial hemorrhage, brain tumor or atypical parkinsonian disorder, * Severe orthopedic or other related musculoskeletal pathology that has significant adverse effects on gait, * Women who are pregnant or may be pregnant, * Insufficient comprehension of the English language, * History of substance abuse in past 2 years; Additional exclusion criteria for VNS experiment * Pain at the nVNS treatment site (e.g., dysesthesia, neuralgia, cervicalgia); * Lesion (including lymphadenopathy), previous surgery (including carotid endarterectomy or vascular neck surgery) or abnormal anatomy at the stimulation site (open wound, rash, infection, swelling, cut, sore, drug patch, surgical scar\[s\]); * Known or suspected severe atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, severe carotid artery disease (e.g., bruits or history of TIA or stroke), congestive heart failure, known severe coronary artery disease or prior myocardial infarction; * Abnormal baseline electrocardiogram (ECG) within the last year (e.g., second or third-degree heart block, prolonged QT interval, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, history of ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation); * Recent history of uncontrolled high blood pressure, bradycardia, tachycardia, or know recent history orthostatic hypotension; * Previous unilateral or bilateral vagotomy; * Implanted metal cervical spine hardware, other metallic implants or implantable medical devices such as deep brain stimulator, hearing aid implant, pacemaker, implanted cardioverter defibrillator, cranial aneurysm and/or cranial aneurysm clips, history of facial/orbital/metallic fragments, implanted electronic device, neurostimulator, valve replacements/stents, metallic implants/prostheses) near the stimulation site such as a bone plate or bone screw; * History of syncope or seizures (within the last 2 years);
Contact & Investigator
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT07226284 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 21 Years or older, up to 76 Years, studying PARKINSON DISEASE (Disorder). Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT07226284 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT07226284 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at cmackinn@umn.edu for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT07226284 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Minneapolis, United States.
Who is sponsoring the NCT07226284 clinical trial?
NCT07226284 is sponsored by University of Minnesota. The trial plans to enroll 75 participants.
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