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Testing brain stimulation effects on movement in people with an implanted device

Tests motor thalamus stimulation in adults with movement disorders, with and without stimulation.

Key facts

Who runs it
Jorge Gonzalez-Martinez
Where
Pittsburgh, United StatesSee the site
Trial code
Registry title
Long-term Brain Stimulation of the Motor Ventral Thalamus (VOP/VIM) to Improve Motor Function
Status
Recruiting
People taking part
60 people, planned
Started
10 May 2022
Expected to end
31 Dec 2030
Type of study
Interventional, 2 groupsOne group gets no study treatment, for comparison.
Treatments tested
  • Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) of the Motor Thalamus
Record updated
18 September 2026

Who can take part

AI summary

From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.

The trial is looking for adults with a movement disorder who have, or will have, a Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) device. They do movement, swallowing and speech tasks with and without stimulation.

Age
18 to 80 years (under 80)
Sex
All sexes
Disease stage
Movement disorder with motor symptoms, treated with Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS).
Earlier treatment
Must be implanted with Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) for motor symptoms.

Main reasons for not taking part

  • History of seizure disorders
  • History of vasovagal response or loss of consciousness
  • Severe behavioral or cognitive problems that would affect taking part
  • Serious disease or other neurological condition that could impair taking part
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women

The registry criteria, word for word

Show all 7 criteriaShow less

Who can take part

  • Movement disorder patients ≥18 years of age and < 80 years of age, who will be implanted with DBS for treatment of motor symptoms
  • Subject has provided written informed consent and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) authorization, where applicable, prior to any study-related procedures

Who cannot take part

  • History of seizure disorders
  • Any serious disease or disorder (e.g. cancer, severe cardiac or respiratory disease, neurological conditions other than current movement disorder) or cognitive impairments that could impair ability to participate in this study
  • Vasovagal response history and loss of consciousness history
  • Severe behavioral or cognitive problems that preclude participation in the study, in the opinion of the investigator would impact participation in the study
  • Females who are pregnant or breastfeeding

Check if you might fit

Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.

  • Are you between 18 and 80 years old?

Where in United States

  • University of PittsburghPittsburgh, United StatesContact: Cierra Clark, MSTaking people

About the trial

What the trial wants to find out

This study aims to recruit patients already implanted with Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) for movement disorders to complete tasks assessing parameters of motor output, speech, and swallowing functions, both with and without stimulation. DBS parameters would be adjusted prior to motor testing. Patients would then participate in multiple sessions performing contralateral upper extremity movement tasks measuring movement speed, grip strength, and strength modulation, facial movement, swallowing, and speech tasks.

The 2 groups in the trial

  • Deep Brain Stimulation of the Motor ThalamusTreatment being tested

    Individuals with deep brain stimulation device implanted in the motor thalamus for movement disorders treatment who also sustain speech, swallowing, and motor deficits.

    Treatment: Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) of the Motor Thalamus

  • Healthy Control ParticipantsNo study treatment, for comparison

    The investigators aim to include healthy control subjects who will complete the language and upper-limb tasks. The healthy subjects will not undergo any surgical procedures.

Questions to ask the study team

  1. How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
  2. Are travel costs paid?
  3. Can I keep my own doctor?
  4. What happens if I want to stop?

Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations

Print a page for my doctor

Data and sources

Registry record
Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Official title
Chronic Stimulation of the Motor Ventral Thalamus (VOP/VIM) for Motor Control in Humans
Plain-language title
Testing brain stimulation effects on movement in people with an implanted deviceGenerated from the registry record. The registry title is the official one.
AI summary
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Read by machine on 12 November 2026.
Fit questions
Built from NCT07056348, who can take part
Record updated
18 September 2026