Could a magnet on the head ease voice spasms?
NCT ID NCT05095740
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
Laryngeal dystonia causes the vocal folds to spasm, leading to a strained or breathy voice. This study tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called rTMS can calm the overactive brain signals that cause these spasms. Twenty-five adults with laryngeal dystonia will receive either real or sham rTMS, and researchers will measure changes in voice quality and brain activity. The goal is to see if this approach could offer a new, less invasive alternative to Botox injections.
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 it works, this could point toward a non-invasive treatment option for laryngeal dystonia that reduces voice symptoms without the need for repeated Botox injections.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early, small proof-of-concept study with only 25 participants. It tests a single session of rTMS, so any benefits may be short-lived or not work for everyone.
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 25 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jun 2021
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2026
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 85 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.
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: * Age range is 21-85 years * Diagnosis of Laryngeal Dystonia (LD) * Subject is able to give informed consent * Symptoms at worst severity if receiving botulinum toxin injections * Subject has signed the consent form Exclusion Criteria: * Other forms of dystonia * Vocal fold pathology or paralysis * Essential tremor * Laryngeal cancer or other neurologic conditions with medications affecting the central nervous system * History of laryngeal surgery * Adults lacking the ability to consent or complete the assessments and intervention * Seizure in the last 2 years * Contraindications to rTMS
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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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Teresa J Kimberley
RECRUITINGBoston, Massachusetts, 02129, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- Could magnetic pulses to the brain ease a rare voice disorder?
- Vibrating neck device may help rare voice disorder
- Throat vibrations may calm voice spasms by rewiring brain networks
- Brain zaps for voice relief: new trial targets laryngeal dystonia
- New device aims to improve diagnosis of voice disorders