Exploring the Effects of Spinal Cord Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease. (NCT03526991) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Exploring the Effects of Spinal Cord Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease.
United States10 participantsStarted 2021-08-01
Plain-language summary
Parkinson Disease (PD) patients experience a variety of motor issues such as walking difficulties, loss of balance, and freezing while walking, which impacts their quality of life. Some symptoms, like freezing of gait (FOG), do not respond to medications typically used to treat PD. Current surgical procedures used to alleviate PD symptoms also do not always improve FOG. Since many traditional therapies have failed for the treatment of FOG, researchers have proposed the use of newer treatments. Recent research in animal models and clinical human data using SCS has produced promising results, specifically showing improvement in FOG with the use of SCS in patients with PD.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for the management of freezing of gait (FOG) that does not respond to conventional treatments in subjects with Parkinson's disease (PD). The investigators hypothesize that SCS significantly decreases FOG episodes in patients with PD.
1. Assess the safety, tolerability and preliminary evidence of effectiveness of upper thoracic spinal cord stimulation for freezing of gait in Parkinson's (PD) patients.
2. Explore the effects of two SCS programming paradigms on motor, nonmotor and quality of life measures in PD patients with freezing of gait.
Who can participate
Age range
18 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:
* Males and females between older than 18 years of age.
* Able to provide informed consent
* Diagnosed with idiopathic PD (meeting at least two of the three United Kingdom (UK) Brain Bank criteria for PD, specifically bradykinesia plus resting tremor or rigidity) whose major complaints is levodopa refractory FOG. Levodopa refractoriness will be defined as lack of subjective improvement on FOG episodes as reported by the patient.
* Documented dopaminergic response
* Optimized PD treatment including dopaminergic medications, and/or deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy
* Presence of at least two self-reported levodopa refractory episodes of FOG per day, not limited to start hesitation
* At least one witnessed freezing event during the screening visit in the 'on' medication state (defined as 45 minutes after a regular dose of Levodopa for the subject being studied)
Exclusion Criteria:
Presence of any co-morbid psychiatric illness(es) that would interfere with the completion of the study or pose risk to the patient, as defined below:
* Presence of psychosis
* Depression BDI \>14
* Anxiety BAI \>14
* Presence of an active infection, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression or other medical contraindications to undergoing SCS implantation
* Patients who are currently on anticoagulation treatment or unable to hold off the anticoagulants (including Plavix, Aspirin, Warfarin, etc.) 7 days prior to the SCS procedure.
* Moderate Cognitive Impairmen…
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.