UnknownNot Applicable

Hallucinations in Parkinson's Disease

Spain, Switzerland40 participantsStarted 2020-08-17

Plain-language summary

Investigation on how robotically mediated sensorimotor stimulation induces and triggers presence hallucinations in different clinical groups of parkinsonian patients, and in aged-matched controls

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: * Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (expect for healthy controls) * Able to understand instructions and provide informed consent. * Native speaking language of experimental site (or acquisition of language of experimental site before 6 years old). * Montreal Cognitive Assessment (Nasreddine \& Patel, 2016) with score ≥ 22. * Able to manipulate the robotic device. Exclusion Criteria: * For PD patients only: Neurological comorbidities other than Parkinson's disease (e.g. Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, multiple sclerosis, stroke, traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, chronic migraine, etc.) * For healthy controls only: Parkinson's disease or other neurological illnesses * History or current condition of substance abuse and/or dependence (e.g., alcohol, drugs). * Suffering from or diagnosed with psychiatric illnesses according to DSM-V criteria (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, autism, personality disorders, phobia etc.). * Family history (1st and 2nd degree) of psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia or bipolar disorders). * Severe somatic illnesses (e.g., cancer). * Severe tremors or physical disability preventing optimal use of robotic device. * Participating in a pharmacological study. * Local or general anaesthesia 30 days prior experiment * Inability to provide informed consent (legal guardianship) * For the MRI part only: body weight exceeding 160kg, implanted metallic devices, implant for deep brain stimulation, foreign metallic obje…

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

Sensitivity to the induction bodily illusions of Presence Hallucination, Passivity experiences, loss of agency, and control questions, through lab-tailored questionnaires (7-point Likert-scale)

Timeframe: 5 minutes, at the end of each participant's session in arm 2

Sensitivity to the induction bodily illusions of Presence Hallucination, Passivity experiences, loss of agency, and control questions, through lab-tailored questionnaires (7-point Likert-scale) in the MRI scanner

Timeframe: 5 minutes, at the end of each participant's session in arm 4

fMRI blood-oxygen level dependent signal response during resting state

Timeframe: Approximately 30 minutes, during arm 3

fMRI blood-oxygen level dependent signal during robotic stimulation

Timeframe: Approximately 45 minutes, during arm 4

Trial details

NCT IDNCT04592965

SponsorOlaf Blanke

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2021-12-01

Contact for this trial

Olaf Blanke

+41 21 693 9621 olaf.blanke@epfl.ch

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Parkinson Disease Psychosis trials