Could a gentle brain zap ease neck dystonia?
NCT ID NCT07014384
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether a gentle, non-invasive brain stimulation technique called tDCS, applied over the cerebellum, can change brain activity and reduce symptoms in people with cervical dystonia (neck muscle spasms). Fifteen participants received real and sham (fake) stimulation in separate sessions. The goal was to understand how the brain's sensorimotor network responds, not to prove a treatment works.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
- What this could lead to
- If this approach shows changes in brain activity, it could point toward a new, non-invasive way to help manage cervical dystonia symptoms.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early-stage study (15 people) that mainly looks at brain signals, not symptom relief. The results may not lead to a practical 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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15 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Sep 2024
- Finished
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Jan 2026
- 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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18 years and older
- 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: * Clinical diagnosis of isolated cervical dystonia * Written informed consent by the patient Exclusion Criteria: * History of other neurological disorders other than CD * Secondary dystonia * Severe head tremor * Intake of centrally acting medication * Contraindications to TMS, such as metallic implants, pregnancy and history of seizures
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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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Hamburg, Germany
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