Sound waves to soothe anxiety? new study tests brain zapping without surgery
NCT ID NCT05839847
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether a gentle ultrasound beam aimed at the brain can reduce anxiety. 44 people with high or low anxiety will receive either real or fake ultrasound while their reactions to stressful tasks are measured. The goal is to see if this noninvasive technique can dampen the body's startle response and heart rate spikes.
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 (LIFU) device
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a noninvasive, drug-free way to manage anxiety by calming the brain's response to stress.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study (44 people) testing a temporary effect, not a treatment. The results may not lead to a practical therapy, and individual responses may vary.
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
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44 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Dec 2023
- Expected to finish
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Apr 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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18 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * High or low trait anxiety Exclusion Criteria: * claustrophobia * Contraindications to MRI (implants) * Contraindications to CT (pregnancy) * Active medical disorder with CNS effects (e.g. Alzheimers) * History of neurologic disorder (e.g. Parkinson's, epilepsy) * History of head injury w/ LOC for \>10 min * History of alcohol or drug dependence * History of current cardiovascular disease
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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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Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC
Roanoke, Virginia, 24016, United States
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