Impact of Sensory Electrical Stimulation on Sensation and Tremor

Trial details

Who runs it

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

Trial code

NCT06428526

Record updated

14 July 2026

Original description

The purpose of this study is to understand the acute, short-term and long-term impact of transcutaneous and/or percutaneous electrical stimulation with afferent-specific electrical stimulation (asES) on proprioception and fine motor control in the upper extremity. For this purpose, the researchers will use transcutaneous and/or percutaneous asES, high-density electromyography (HD-EMG), arm kinematic measurements, and standardized clinical assessments. This study will be conducted in healthy able-bodied individuals and patients with essential tremor (ET).Read full original descriptionShow less

Effects of Afferent-specific Peripheral Electrical Stimulation (asES) on Sensorimotor Control and Tremor

The purpose of this study is to understand the acute, short-term and long-term impact of transcutaneous and/or percutaneous electrical stimulation with afferent-specific electrical stimulation (asES) on proprioception and fine motor control in the upper extremity. For this purpose, the researchers will use transcutaneous and/or percutaneous asES, high-density electromyography (HD-EMG), arm kinematic measurements, and standardized clinical assessments. This study will be conducted in healthy able-bodied individuals and patients with essential tremor (ET).

Inclusion: Age from 18 to 80 years, inclusive; No history of a brain and/or skull lesion; Normal hearing and (corrected) vision; Able to understand and give informed consent; No neurological disorders; No tremor; Able to understand and speak English; Age from 18 to 80 years, inclusive; No prior history of skull lesions or craniotomy; Normal hearing and (corrected) vision; Able to understand and give informed consent; Diagnosis of ET (Tremor Research investigation Group criteria) by a physician; At least moderate-severe tremor (based on the TETRAS Tremor Rating Scale) in an upper limb with pure flexion-extension wrist tremor during posture; Stable medication doses for at least 30 days prior to study enrollment and during entire study period; Able to understand and speak English.

Exclusion: Prior neurosurgical procedures; Non-prescribed drug use or recreational marijuana use; Prior neurosurgical procedures; Non-prescribed drug use or recreational marijuana use; History of significant head trauma (i.e., extended loss of consciousness, neurological damage); Co-existence of other neurological diseases; Medical (e.g., cardiological, renal, hepatic, oncological) or psychiatric disease that would interfere with study procedures; Pathology that could cause abnormal movements of extremities (e.g., epilepsy, stroke, marked arthritis, etc.); History of current substance abuse (exception: current nicotine use is allowed); History of significant head trauma (i.e., extended loss of consciousness, neurological damage); Co-existence of other neurological diseases; Medical (e.g., cardiological, renal, hepatic, oncological) or psychiatric disease that would - interfere with study procedures; Pathology that could cause abnormal movements of extremities (e.g., epilepsy, stroke, marked arthritis, etc.); History of current substance abuse (exception: current nicotine use is allowed); Known structural brain lesion; Tremors (as determined by study team); Parkinsonism; Inability to perform study tasks or assessments (e.g., follow instructions to stay still during asES procedures) or unable/unwilling to complete study forms; Pregnancy; Prisoners; Known structural brain lesion; Mixed or complex tremors (as determined by study team); Parkinsonism; Inability to perform the study tasks or assessments (e.g., follow instructions to stay still during asES procedures) or unable/unwilling to complete study forms; Pregnancy; Prisoners.

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06428526