New brain stimulation pattern may help Parkinson's patients who 'Freeze' when walking

NCT ID NCT05415774

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: University Hospital, Toulouse Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This pilot study tested a new way of using deep brain stimulation (DBS) to help Parkinson's disease patients who experience freezing of gait—a sudden inability to move their feet—even with standard DBS. Ten participants received stimulation at different frequencies in two brain areas (the subthalamic nucleus and substantia nigra pars reticulata) to see if it could reduce freezing episodes. The study measured changes using a questionnaire about freezing severity over one-month periods.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: deep brain stimulation device
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a new stimulation pattern to reduce freezing of gait episodes in Parkinson's patients who don't respond to standard deep brain stimulation.
What could go wrong: This is a very small pilot study with only 10 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The approach is experimental and may not provide meaningful improvement.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for PARKINSON DISEASE are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Parkinson disease

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

PARKINSON DISEASE

Contacts and locations

Locations

Uh Toulouse

Toulouse, 31000, France

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.