Brain implant for Parkinson's may raise fall risk — a study investigates
NCT ID NCT07725315
First seen Jul 24, 2026 · Last updated Jul 24, 2026
Summary
This study looks at whether deep brain stimulation (DBS) — a standard surgical treatment for Parkinson's disease — affects a person's thinking and movement in ways that could increase their risk of falling. Researchers will assess 20 patients before and three months after DBS surgery, tracking falls and daily step counts. The goal is to better understand any hidden risks tied to this common therapy.
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 (DBS) as part of standard care
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could help identify patients at higher risk of falls after DBS surgery and guide safer treatment plans.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small pilot study with only 20 participants, so findings may not apply to all patients. It observes changes but does not test a new treatment.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 20 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Aug 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Nov 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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30 to 80 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 30-80, patient has elected to undergo DBS surgery as part of routine care, cleared for deep brain stimulation surgery as part of routine care by the movement disorders committee. Refractory motor symptoms such as dyskinesias, wearing off, and/or motor fluctuations, causing significant disability, despite reasonable attempts at medical management, as determined by the consensus DBS committee, able to walk, Patient is available for follow-up over the length of the study Exclusion Criteria: Patient's insurance will not cover the costs of surgery with investigational devices, Medical contraindications such as current uncontrolled hypertension, heart disease, coagulopathy, or other conditions contraindicating DBS surgery or stimulation, self-report of lack of clear levodopa response, requires a walker or wheelchair for mobility \-
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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UAB WHARF at Lakeshore
Homewood, Alabama, 35294, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- Brain surgery for Parkinson's: can we foresee the confusion that follows?
- Wearable tech could revolutionize tremor tracking at home
- Could a breath test reveal Parkinson's risk?
- Can a simple test capture Parkinson's physical decline?