Tests neck nerve stimulation for leg muscle activation in Parkinson's disease
Studies how vagus nerve stimulation affects leg muscles, walking and balance in Parkinson's disease.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Effects of Vagal Nerve Stimulation on Leg Muscle Activity and Posture in Parkinson's Disease
Key facts
- Where
- Minneapolis, United StatesSee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 21 and 76 years old?
Source: NCT07226284, who can take part
Where in United States
- Movement Disorders LaboratoryMinneapolis, United StatesTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- University of Minnesota
- Trial code
- NCT07226284
- Record updated
- 20 October 2026
- Original description
This study is designed to better understand the mechanisms contributing to impaired activation of leg muscles in people with Parkinson's disease (PD) and to test if stimulation of a nerve at the neck can improve muscle activation, walking and balance.Read full original descriptionShow less
The Effects of Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Intrinsic Lower Leg Spinal Motoneuron Excitability in Parkinson's Disease.
This study is designed to better understand the mechanisms contributing to impaired activation of leg muscles in people with Parkinson's disease (PD) and to test if stimulation of a nerve at the neck can improve muscle activation, walking and balance.
Inclusion: Diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease,; On stable medication for the preceding month and anticipated over the next 3 months,; Able to ambulate without the use of an assistive device for more than 50 meters; Control Cohort:; Age (± 3 years) and sex distribution matched to the PD cohort,; Able to ambulate without the use of an assistive device for more than 50 meters.
Exclusion: Lesion (including lymphadenopathy), previous surgery (including carotid endarterectomy or vascular neck surgery) or abnormal anatomy at the stimulation site (open wound, rash, infection, swelling, cut, sore, drug patch, surgical scar[s]); Known or suspected severe atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, severe carotid artery disease (e.g., bruits or history of TIA or stroke), congestive heart failure, known severe coronary artery disease or prior myocardial infarction; Previous unilateral or bilateral vagotomy; Failure to demonstrate capacity to consent (based on UBACC and/or MacArthur-CR),; History of significant neurological disorder (besides PD in the PD group),; History of stroke, traumatic brain injury, intracranial aneurysm, intracranial hemorrhage, brain tumor or atypical parkinsonian disorder,; History of substance abuse in past 2 years; Additional exclusion criteria for VNS experiment; Recent history of uncontrolled high blood pressure, bradycardia, tachycardia, or know recent history orthostatic hypotension; Implanted metal cervical spine hardware, other metallic implants or implantable medical devices such as deep brain stimulator, hearing aid implant, pacemaker, implanted cardioverter defibrillator, cranial aneurysm and/or cranial aneurysm clips, history of facial/orbital/metallic fragments, implanted electronic device, neurostimulator, valve replacements/stents, metallic implants/prostheses) near the stimulation site such as a bone plate or bone screw; History of syncope or seizures (within the last 2 years); Abnormal baseline electrocardiogram (ECG) within the last year (e.g., second or third-degree heart block, prolonged QT interval, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, history of ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation); Severe orthopedic or other related musculoskeletal pathology that has significant adverse effects on gait,; Women who are pregnant or may be pregnant,; Insufficient comprehension of the English language,; Pain at the nVNS treatment site (e.g., dysesthesia, neuralgia, cervicalgia).