Sound waves aim to stop hand cramps in musicians and writers
NCT ID NCT06367608
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This early-stage study tests whether MRI-guided focused ultrasound can safely treat task-specific focal hand dystonia, a condition that causes hand cramps during activities like writing or playing an instrument. Ten adults who have not improved with standard treatments will receive a precise ultrasound procedure to a small brain area. Researchers will track side effects and measure changes in hand function and quality of life over six months.
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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 10 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jun 2024
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2028
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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21 to 75 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: 1. Clinical diagnosis of moderate to severe TSFD with impact in their daily function or occupation function 2. Patients who failed to response or had unsatisfactory response to the first treatment, such as Botulinum toxin treatment or DBS or refuse these alternative options 3. Age greater than 21 and less than 75 years 4. Subjects who are able and willing to give consent and able to attend all study visits, 5. Documented chronic, symptoms for more than 6 months duration 6. Pallidotomy is feasible based on evaluation of imaging studies 7. Patient able to communicate sensations during the ExAblate TcMRgFUS treatment 8. Two members of the medical team have agreed upon inclusion and exclusion criteria Exclusion Criteria: 1. Patient with contraindications to MRI such as severe claustrophobia and metallic implants incompatible with MRI. 2. Presence of generalized dystonia or involvement of two or more contiguous body regions (such as Arm along with neck) 3. Severe psychiatric disorder such as uncontrolled depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, prior attempt at suicide or suicide ideation in preceding 12 months 4. Life expectancy less than 12 months 5. Anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications as well as underlying coagulopathy 6. Pregnant ladies or women of childbearing age who are sexually active and not using contraception 7. Inability to provide informed consent, for example due to underlying cognitive impairment or aphasia 8. Presence of intracranial mass or an acute intracranial abnormality 9. Subjects with unstable cardiac status such as unstable angina pectoris, documented myocardial infarction within 6 months of protocol entry or ejection fraction less than 40 10. Subjects exhibiting any behavior(s) consistent with ethanol or substance abuse as defined by the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM-IV) 11. Severe hypertension (diastolic blood pressure \> 100 on medication or persistently elevated systolic blood pressure\>140 mmHg despite adequate antihypertensive medications) 12. History of intracranial hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury or thalamic stroke. 13. Cerebrovascular disease (multiple cerebrovascular accident's (CVA) or CVA within 6 months) 14. Subjects with life-threatening systemic disease that include and not limited to the following will be excluded from the study participation: HIV, Liver Failure, blood dyscrasias, etc. 15. Subjects with a history of seizures within the past year 16. Individuals who are not able or willing to tolerate the required prolonged stationary supine position during treatment (can be up to 4 hours of total table time.) \-
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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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University of Maryland Medical Center
RECRUITINGBaltimore, Maryland, 21201, United States