Could a gentle neck zap steady the steps of Parkinson's patients?
NCT ID NCT06562569
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jul 10, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This pilot study tests a handheld device that gently stimulates the vagus nerve in the neck to see if it can improve walking and balance in veterans with Parkinson's disease. Forty participants will use the device at home while researchers measure changes in stride length and other gait measures. The goal is to find a non-drug way to reduce fall risk and improve quality of life.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- non-invasive cervical vagal nerve stimulation (ncVNS) device
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a drug-free, at-home way to improve walking and reduce fall risk for people with Parkinson's.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early pilot study with only 40 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The device may not improve gait significantly, and individual responses can 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
-
About 40 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
-
Mar 2026
- Expected to finish
-
Apr 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
A government agency
The lead sponsor is a US federal agency other than the NIH.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
50 to 88 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: * Parkinson's disease, as diagnosis by a VA neurologist * HY stages 2-3 * Self-report Freezing of Gait * Able to ambulate for 2-min without an assistive device * Parkinson's disease medications are stable for 4-weeks and expected to be on stable medications for duration of the study Exclusion Criteria: For Group 1 and 2 * Lack of decision-making capacity * Prescribed centrally acting anticholinergics (e.g., amitriptyline) or cholinesterase inhibitors * Musculoskeletal or additional neurological conditions that negatively impact gait and balance * Spine or LE surgery within the past year * Uncontrolled hypertension, hypotension, bradycardia, or tachycardia * History of baseline cardiac disease or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, including congestive heart failure, known severe coronary artery disease, severe carotid stenosis (e.g., bruits or history of TIA or stroke), or recent myocardial infarction (within 5 years). * Abnormal baseline electrocardiogram within last year * Previous vagotomy * Implanted metal cervical spine hardware, other metallic implants or implantable medical devices such as DBS * Active cancer * have previously had cancer in any areas where stimulation will occur * Documented abnormal cervical anatomy * History of brain tumor, aneurysm, bleed or head trauma * History of syncope or seizures (within the last 2 years) For Group 3 * Lack of decision-making capacity * Musculoskeletal or additional neurological conditions that negatively impact gait and balance * Spine or LE surgery within the past year
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Parkinson's 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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
-
The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
-
The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
-
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
-
Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL
RECRUITINGHines, Illinois, 60141-3030, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Walking memory tests may reveal early Parkinson's clues
- Colon tissue may hold clues to telling Parkinson's apart from Look-Alike diseases
- A genetic roadmap for Parkinson's: testing thousands to unlock clues
- Can gentle touch therapy calm Parkinson's tremors?
- Stem cell infusions aim to slow Parkinson's progression
- Can an inhaled levodopa ease Parkinson's OFF episodes? a study asks patients.