Sound waves could ease Parkinson's tremors without drugs
NCT ID NCT04593875
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFUP) can safely improve motor symptoms like tremor and stiffness in people with Parkinson's disease. 31 participants received either real or sham ultrasound to a specific brain area. The goal was to see if this non-invasive technique could boost brain activity and improve movement, potentially offering a new drug-free option.
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 (LIFUP) device
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could lead to a non-invasive, non-drug treatment to help improve movement problems in Parkinson's disease.
- What could go wrong
- This was a small, early feasibility study with only 31 people. It is not yet proven to work, and more research is needed to confirm any benefits.
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
-
31 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Jun 2022
- Finished
-
Jul 2024
- 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 85 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 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. Diagnosis of Parkinson's disease 2. Age 18-85 3. Fluent in the English language Exclusion Criteria: 1. Metal implants that are not MR compatible 2. Neurological diagnosis other than Parkinson's 3. Not fluent in the English language
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Parkinson disease are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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
-
University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California, 90095, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Gut bacteria may hold clues to dozens of diseases
- Spinal cord stimulation put to the test for Parkinson's freezing of gait
- Can a massive data registry crack the code of Parkinson's and related brain diseases?
- Reading the Brain's signals to predict who benefits from deep brain stimulation
- Giving Parkinson's patients a say may boost their Brain's ability to learn movement
- Brain scans probe why some Parkinson's patients freeze Mid-Step