Sound waves aimed at the brain could ease twisted neck

NCT ID NCT07690514

What the study statuses mean

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Recruitment status, easiest to join first

Recruiting now This study
This trial is taking on new participants right now.
Not yet recruiting
Registered, but not yet taking participants.
By invitation only
Not open to general applications. Only people the study team invites can take part.
Paused
Paused for now. It may or may not start again.
Ongoing
Running, but no longer taking on new participants.
Completed
The trial has finished. Results may not be published yet.
Stopped early
Stopped early, before it reached the end. That can be for many reasons, including safety.
Cancelled
Cancelled before anyone took part.

Expanded access (not trials)

Expanded access
Not a trial. This treatment can be requested outside a study, case by case, for people who qualify.
Expanded access (paused)
Not a trial. The treatment can normally be requested outside a study, but is unavailable right now.
Expanded access (ended)
Not a trial. The treatment could once be requested outside a study, but no longer can.
Approved
The treatment has been approved, so it is available normally rather than through this programme.

When the status isn't known

Details not published
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Status unknown
This status has not been confirmed recently, so it may be out of date.

First seen Jul 08, 2026 · Last updated Jul 09, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFUS) can reduce symptoms of cervical dystonia, a condition causing painful neck muscle spasms. Researchers will compare two brain targets (globus pallidus and dentate nucleus) against a sham procedure in 48 adults. Participants attend seven visits over about two weeks, with assessments including symptom scales and brain scans.

What this could mean

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

Active substance
Low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFUS) to the globus pallidus or dentate nucleus
What this could lead to
If it works, this could offer a non-invasive, drug-free option to reduce neck twisting and pain in cervical dystonia.
What could go wrong
This is an early, small study (48 people) testing a new approach. It may not work better than placebo, and effects may be temporary.

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

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

About 48 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Nov 2024

Expected to finish

Dec 2029

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

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

18 to 90 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

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

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * 18 - 90 years of age * Confirmed diagnosis cervical dystonia * 3 months since last botulinum toxin injection * Stable medications in the past month Exclusion Criteria: * Has neurological disorder other than dystonia (such as compressive neuropathy, limb trauma, epilepsy) * Cognitive deficits leading to inability to understand study purposes and risks as well as the consent information without legal trustee * Presence of metal implanted in body that is contraindicated in MRI * Pregnancy * Has a previous surgical intervention to treat CD such as lesioning or a DBS system in place * Major systemic illness or infection

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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

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  1. The places running it

    1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.

  2. The official record

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  3. A doctor treating you

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Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Toronto Western Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2S8, Canada

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