Brain zaps may ease Writer's cramp, tiny study hints
NCT ID NCT06422104
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This completed study tested whether a noninvasive brain stimulation technique called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) could help people with focal hand dystonia, a condition that causes hand cramping during tasks like writing. Twelve participants received rTMS to different brain areas to see which target might work best. The main goal was to see if the procedure was feasible and safe, not to prove it works.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)
- What this could lead to
- If this approach works, it could point toward a noninvasive, drug-free way to ease hand cramping and improve writing in people with focal hand dystonia.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early-stage study (12 people) focused on feasibility and identifying the best brain target. It is not designed to prove a treatment works, and results may not apply to everyone with dystonia.
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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12 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Aug 2018
- Finished
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Jan 2023
- 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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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
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: * Healthy Control Participants: 1. 18yrs and older 2. Left or Right hand dominance 3. Age-matched to Focal Hand dystonia patients 4. Must be able to sign informed consent 5. Must be literate * Focal Hand dystonia Patients: 1. 18yrs and older 2. Left or Right hand dominance 3. Diagnosed with Writer's Cramp dystonia in left or right hand 4. Must be able to sign informed consent 5. Must be literate Exclusion Criteria: Healthy Control Participants (visits 2, 3, 4, and 5) and Focal Hand dystonia Patients (visits 2, 3, 4, and 5): 1. Other neurological movement disorders diagnoses including other types of dystonia, Parkinsonism, or essential tremor 2. Botulinum toxin injections within 3 months of research study 3. Medications with effects on the central nervous system including anticholinergic, benzodiazepines, and muscle relaxants among others within 1 week of the study 4. No physical or occupational therapy of the upper extremities 5. Any contraindications to MRI (ie: metal in body or implanted medical devices, etc) 6. Any contraindication on TMS adult safety screening (TASS form) including seizure history, pregnancy, brain injury, cranial metal implants, known structural brain lesion
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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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Duke University Health System
Durham, North Carolina, 27705, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.