Could flickering lights and sounds ease Parkinson's symptoms?
NCT ID NCT05268887
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests a device that uses light, sound, and gentle touch to stimulate brain waves at a specific frequency (gamma). Researchers want to see if it is safe and can change brain activity in people with mild Parkinson's disease. 40 participants will use the device for 30-60 minutes, and their brain waves will be measured with EEG.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- GENUS device (gamma frequency light, sound, and tactile stimulation)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a non-invasive, drug-free way to ease movement symptoms in early Parkinson's disease.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early, small study focused on safety and feasibility, not on proving the treatment works. The effects may be small or not last, and not everyone may respond.
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 40 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Feb 2022
- 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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45 to 90 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: * Subject has Idiopathic PD defined by the cardinal sign, bradykinesia, plus the presence of at least 1 of the following: resting tremor or rigidity and without any other known or suspected cause of Parkinsonism (according to Movement disorder society (MDS) clinical diagnostic criteria for Parkinson's disease confirmed by a fellowship trained movements disorder specialist * Subject is Hoehn \& Yahr stage 2 to 3 * Subject has a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) score ≥26. * Subject is \> 45 and \<90 years of age. * proficient in speaking, reading, and understanding English * capable of providing informed written consent * Subject is on a stable dose (at least 1 month prior to baseline visit) of antiparkinsonian agents and willing to remain on this dose for the duration of the study. If on a cholinesterase inhibitor, a stable dose without changes for 1 month is required. * Subject has undergone a brain CT or MRI prior to rule out underlying structural lesions Exclusion criteria: * Subject has atypical Parkinson's syndrome(s) due to drugs, metabolic neurogenetic disorders (e.g., Wilson's Disease), encephalitis, cerebrovascular disease, or degenerative disease (e.g., Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Multiple System Atrophy, Corticobasal Degeneration, Lewy Body dementia) * history of any psychiatric illness that would pose a safety risk * diagnosis of dementia or other neurological conditions * currently taking sedative medications that are clinically contraindicated * has undergone recent change (\<1 month) in medication * recent drug or alcohol abuse or dependence * laboratory results the would pose safety risk * concurrently or has participated in other clinical trial investigation within 3 months * pregnant * no healthcare * history of epilepsy, stroke, or seizure in past 24 months * diagnosis of migraines * have certain implantable medical devices * contraindications for MRI * life expectancy of less than 2 years
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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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Massachusetts Institute of Technology
RECRUITINGCambridge, Massachusetts, 02139, United States
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