Zapping tremors: radiation may offer new hope for Parkinson's and essential tremor patients

NCT ID NCT01734122

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: Vanderbilt University Medical Center Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study follows 60 people with essential tremor or Parkinson's tremor whose symptoms aren't well-controlled by medication. After receiving stereotactic radiosurgery—a precise dose of radiation to a small brain area—participants fill out questionnaires about their quality of life and tremor severity every 3 months for a year. The goal is to see if this non-surgical approach can meaningfully reduce shaking and improve daily functioning.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: stereotactic radiosurgery (focused radiation to the brain)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could show that radiosurgery improves quality of life and reduces tremor for people whose medication isn't enough.
What could go wrong: This is a small, observational study with no comparison group, so results may not prove radiosurgery is better than other treatments. Risks include potential side effects from brain radiation.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

essential tremor Parkinson disease Tremor

As listed by the trial registrant

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

ESSENTIAL TREMOR PARKINSON DISEASE QUALITY OF LIFE RADIOSURGERY TREMOR

Contacts and locations

Locations

Vanderbilt University Medical Center
RECRUITING

Nashville, Tennessee, 37232, United States

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