Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Mal de Debarquement Syndrome (NCT02470377) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Mal de Debarquement Syndrome
United States24 participantsStarted 2015-08
Plain-language summary
The goal of this study is to determine whether external neuromodulation using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can reduce the perception of self-motion that is experienced by individuals with mal de debarquement syndrome (MdDS). Mal de debarquement is translated as the "sickness of disembarkment," and refers to the chronic feeling of rocking dizziness that occurs after exposure to passive motion. Treatment for MdDS is limited and morbidity is high. The goal of the study is to determine whether rTMS can suppress the rocking dizziness of MdDS.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 70 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
. Age ≥18 years old
. Willing and capable of interacting with the informed consent process
. Primary disorder being a persistent rocking dizziness triggered by passive motion such as from water, land, or air travel and with no other central nervous system or peripheral vestibular disorder determined after appropriate evaluation.
Exclusion criteria
. Subjects who cannot comply with study conditions.
. Active psychiatric condition such as mania or psychosis
. Unstable medical condition
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Dizziness Handicap Inventory
Timeframe: 10 weeks (4 pre stimulation + 6 post stimulation)
. Implanted metal anywhere in the body (infusion pumps, pacemakers, metal or shrapnel in the body, deep brain stimulators, aneurysm clips, metal prostheses, joints, rods or plates). Dental fillings are acceptable.
. Personal history of seizures or a first-degree relative with epilepsy
. Medications known to lower seizure threshold such as: typical (high-potency) neuroleptics and tricyclic antidepressants: Subjects who take one or a combination of the following drugs will be excluded: imipramine, amitriptyline, doxepin, nortriptyline, maprotiline, chlorpromazine. clozapine, foscarnet, ganciclovir, ritonavir, amphetamines, cocaine (including MDMA, ecstasy), phencyclidine (PCP, angel's dust), ketamine, gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), theophylline, haloperidol, fluphenazine, bupropion.
. Pregnancy or planning to become pregnant during study enrollment.