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RECRUITING
NCT07014384
NA

Cerebellar Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in Patients With Isolated Cervical Dystonia (CD)

Sponsor: Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf

View on ClinicalTrials.gov

Summary

Cervical dystonia (CD) is a movement disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions of the neck, leading to abnormal head postures and movement, pain and impaired motor function. Current treatments for CD, such as botulinum toxin injections and physical therapy, may not always provide sufficient relief of symptoms and may fail to offer long-term benefits for patients. As a result, new therapeutic approaches are needed. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that modulates neuronal activity. Recent neurophysiological studies suggest that cerebellar tDCS (ctDCS), in particular, could be beneficial in modulating the activity of the sensorimotor network in CD. This clinical trial aims to investigate the effects of ctDCS on the excitability of the sensorimotor network and motor symptom severity in CD patients. Applying transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) we will evaluate the effects of anodal, cathodal and sham ctDCS to improve the understanding of the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying CD and the potential therapeutic role of ctDCS.

Official title: A Randomized, Sham-controlled Study of Cerebellar Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and Its Effects on the Neurophysiological Properties of the Sensorimotor Network and Motor Symptom Severity in Patients With Isolated Cervical Dystonia (CD)

Key Details

Gender

All

Age Range

18 Years - Any

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Enrollment

20

Start Date

2024-09-15

Completion Date

2025-12-30

Last Updated

2025-06-11

Healthy Volunteers

No

Interventions

DEVICE

Anodal and cathodal ctDCS

CtDCS will be delivered using an DC-stimulator and two saline-soaked sponge electrodes: one electrode placed 3 cm lateral to the right of the inion, the other electrode on the right buccinator muscle. A 2 mA current will be delivered through these electrodes for a duration of 20 minutes with a 8-second fade-in and fade-out.

DEVICE

Sham stimulation

The tDCS procedure will be identical to the active (anodal and cathodal) stimulation condition, but stimulation will cease after 30 seconds.

Locations (1)

Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf

Hamburg, Germany