Focal dystonia

This study uses botulinum toxin (Botox) injections to treat movement disorders such as dystonia, tremor, and spasticity. Up to 2,000 participants aged 2 and older will receive tailored injections, with doctors trained in proper techniques. The goal is to manage symptoms and build…

This early-stage study tests whether MRI-guided focused ultrasound can safely treat task-specific focal hand dystonia, a condition that causes hand cramps during activities like writing or playing an instrument. Ten adults who have not improved with standard treatments will recei…

This study tests a non-invasive procedure called focused ultrasound for adults with limb dystonia that hasn't improved with medication or Botox. The treatment uses sound waves to create a tiny lesion in a brain area that controls movement. Researchers will compare real treatment …

This study is testing a computer program called DystoniaNet that uses artificial intelligence to help doctors diagnose isolated dystonia, a movement disorder. The trial will enroll 1000 people with dystonia or other conditions that look like it, such as Parkinson's disease or ess…

This study looks at whether adding cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to standard pelvic floor exercises can improve symptoms in people with dyssynergic defecation, a type of chronic constipation. Researchers will enroll 26 adults aged 18 to 55 who have had constipation for over …

This study explores whether gentle vibrations on neck muscles can help people with cervical dystonia hold their head straighter. Fifty adults with the condition will receive different vibration intensities during a single three-hour lab visit. Researchers will measure head postur…

This Phase 2 trial tests whether adding valbenazine (a daily pill) to standard botox injections can further reduce neck muscle spasms and pain in people with cervical dystonia. About 20 adults who still have symptoms despite botox will receive either valbenazine or a placebo for …

This study tests whether taking zinc supplements can help Botox injections last longer for people with cervical dystonia, a condition that causes painful neck muscle spasms. About 25 adults will take either zinc or a placebo daily for 3 months, then switch to the other for anothe…

This study tests a new drug, IPN10200, for adults with cervical dystonia—a condition causing painful neck muscle spasms. Current treatments last about 3 months, but IPN10200 is designed to work longer. Around 132 participants will receive either the drug or a placebo injection, a…

This study looks at whether doing resistance exercises (like leg presses) can reduce swelling in the lower legs of people with lymphedema. It also checks if wearing compression garments during exercise makes a difference. Thirty-six adults with lower limb lymphedema will exercise…

This study is testing a device called ViBandz, which uses small vibrating motors strapped to the body to provide vibration therapy. Researchers want to see if it is easy and comfortable for children with neurological conditions to use at home. The study will involve 30 children a…

This study tests DaxibotulinumtoxinA (Daxxify) in 40 adults with benign essential blepharospasm (uncontrollable eye blinking) or hemifacial spasm (one-sided face twitching). Participants who previously used Botox will switch to Daxxify to see if it works as well or better. The ma…

This study tests whether injections of Xeomin (a botulinum toxin type A) can reduce hand cramps in people with focal hand dystonia, a condition that causes involuntary muscle contractions. About 48 adults will receive either Xeomin or a placebo injection into hand muscles. The ma…

Laryngeal dystonia causes the vocal folds to spasm, leading to a strained or breathy voice. This study tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called rTMS can calm the overactive brain signals that cause these spasms. Twenty-five adults with laryngeal dystonia wi…

This study tests whether adding aerobic exercise to standard lymphedema therapy (complex decongestive physiotherapy) can improve walking, balance, leg strength, and daily function. Twenty-four adults with bilateral lower limb lymphedema will be randomly assigned to either standar…

This study compares two ways of giving Botox injections for cervical dystonia, a condition that causes painful neck muscle spasms. One method uses ultrasound to see the muscles, the other relies on touch and body landmarks. About 100 adults will receive both types of injections a…

This early study tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called tDCS can improve voice quality in people with laryngeal dystonia (spasmodic dysphonia). Ten participants will receive active, sham, and no stimulation to compare effects. The goal is to see if target…

This study looks at whether adjusting deep brain stimulation (DBS) can improve movement, speech, and swallowing in people already implanted with DBS for conditions like tremor, stroke, or traumatic brain injury. Researchers will test hand dexterity, grip strength, facial movement…

This study tests a brain-computer interface (BCI) that gives real-time feedback to help people with laryngeal dystonia control voice spasms. About 40 adults with a specific type of voice disorder will try this adaptive neurofeedback therapy. The goal is to reduce the number of vo…

This study at Mayo Clinic tests whether biofeedback therapy and inspiratory muscle training can help people with dyssynergic defecation—a condition where pelvic floor muscles don't relax properly during bowel movements. Two hundred adults aged 18 to 80 with chronic constipation w…

This study looks at whether the method of delivering voice therapy affects how well people with voice problems (like muscle tension dysphonia or vocal cord lesions) can communicate over a year. About 120 adults who do not smoke and have not had voice therapy or surgery recently w…

This study tests whether a personalized exercise program can improve pain, disability, and quality of life in people with cervical dystonia who already receive botulinum toxin injections. Thirty-four participants will be split into two groups: one gets tailored stretching and str…

This study aims to understand the link between genes and symptoms in people with inherited movement disorders. Researchers will study up to 2,500 participants, including patients and their family members, to identify new disease-causing genes and improve diagnosis. The goal is to…

This natural history study is collecting information from up to 4,000 people with movement disorders (like Parkinson's disease or tremor) and their family members. Participants undergo exams, blood tests, and imaging, but receive no new treatments. The goal is to gather data that…

This study aims to find the genetic causes of movement disorders and dementias by analyzing DNA from up to 12,000 participants, including patients and their family members. Researchers will collect blood or saliva samples and look for gene mutations linked to these conditions. Th…

This study is gathering medical information and samples from up to 5,000 people with neurosurgical conditions like brain tumors, epilepsy, and Parkinson's disease. Participants receive standard care while their data is collected for future research. No new treatments are being te…

This study tests whether using a new classification system (RTSS-Voice) to document voice therapy sessions helps people with muscle tension dysphonia, a condition causing hoarseness and vocal strain. Researchers will compare outcomes from clinicians' first year using the system t…

This study explores whether a non-invasive brain-computer interface (BCI) can help people with motor disorders, such as spinal cord injury or stroke, control assistive devices using their thoughts. Researchers will record brain signals with EEG and use machine learning to interpr…

This study looks at how a gentle vibration applied to the throat affects brain activity and voice in people with laryngeal dystonia, a condition that causes involuntary voice spasms. Researchers will use brain scans and voice recordings to understand why some people get relief fr…

This study is creating a shared database of children who have received deep brain stimulation (DBS) for movement disorders like dystonia, epilepsy, or Tourette syndrome. By pooling data from multiple hospitals, researchers hope to answer key questions about who benefits most and …

This study tests whether electrical signals recorded from the brain during deep brain stimulation (DBS) can help doctors fine-tune settings faster for people with dystonia. About 25 adults who are already scheduled for DBS surgery will have their brain activity monitored during c…

This study uses brain scans and genetic tests to explore why different forms of focal dystonia develop. Researchers will compare brain activity and structure in people with dystonia, their unaffected relatives, and healthy volunteers. The goal is to identify unique brain markers …

This study aims to translate the Hypertonia Assessment Tool (HAT) into Turkish and check if it works correctly. The HAT helps doctors identify different types of increased muscle tone in children with motor disorders. Researchers will test the tool on 70 children under 18 who hav…

This study looks at how deep brain stimulation (DBS) — a treatment already used for movement disorders — affects voice and speech in people with laryngeal dystonia or voice tremor. Researchers will record brain signals during surgery and measure voice changes afterward. The goal …

Researchers at Massachusetts Eye and Ear are studying 165 people with laryngeal dystonia or voice tremor, along with healthy volunteers, to better understand these voice disorders. Participants will undergo voice recordings, breathing tests, and imaging to identify distinct featu…

This study looks at how brain changes and genetic risk factors are linked in laryngeal dystonia, a voice disorder. Researchers will use brain imaging and DNA tests in up to 410 people, including patients, their relatives, and those with similar voice problems. The goal is to find…

This study uses brain scans (fMRI, MEG, EEG) and a numbing throat spray to understand what goes wrong in the brains of people with laryngeal dystonia or voice tremor. Researchers will compare brain activity between these groups and healthy volunteers. The goal is to find unique b…

This study tests a new device called Fecobionics that measures how the rectum and anus work during bowel movements. Researchers want to see if it can predict which patients with a type of constipation called dyssynergia will benefit from biofeedback therapy. About 24 adults will …

This study will use smartphone recordings of speech, eye movements, and arm fatigue to measure key symptoms of myasthenia gravis, a condition that causes muscle weakness. Researchers will compare 225 participants (both with and without MG) to see if machine learning can accuratel…