Could adding a balloon stretch to botox help achalasia patients swallow better?
NCT ID NCT03654066
First seen May 29, 2026 · Last updated Jun 22, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study looks at whether combining Botox injections with a balloon dilation of the esophagus works better than Botox alone for people with achalasia, a rare swallowing disorder. The trial enrolls 50 adults who are not healthy enough for more invasive treatments. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either Botox alone or Botox plus dilation, and their swallowing symptoms are tracked using a patient-reported score.
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This is a summary of
the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Vanderbilt University Medical Center Endoscopy Laboratory
Nashville, Tennessee, 37232, United States
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Botulinum toxin type A (Botox)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could offer a better symptom-relief option for achalasia patients who are not candidates for surgery or balloon dilation.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-phase trial with only 50 participants, so results may not apply broadly. Adding dilation may not improve symptoms and could carry extra risks like perforation.
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.