Linac FRACtionated Radiosurgical THALamotomie in Tremors (FRACTHAL)
Stopped: The treatment at hand was not efficient enough.
Monaco9 participantsStarted 2021-07-01
Plain-language summary
Radiosurgical thalamotomy on GammaKnife has been shown to be effective in the management of tremors. However, several teams describe a significant risk of severe neurological complications. In addition, fitting the invasive frame and the need to travel to GammKnife centers often limit access to treatment in this population of elderly patients.
Linear accelerators have greatly improved their precision, now reaching that of GammaKnife. A possible alternative is therefore to treat patients on linear accelerators, without an invasive frame.
The objective of the FRACTHAL study is to assess the feasibility and safety of treatment of essential and / or parkinsonian tremor by fractional radiosurgical thalamotomy on a linear accelerator.
The main hypothesis of the FRACTHAL study is based on the fact that dividing the dose into 3 sessions will both protect healthy tissue around the target while maintaining therapeutic efficacy on the treatment target.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 99 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:
* patient with disabling essential tremor, dystonic and / or parkinsonian in one or more limbs superiors ;
* patient contraindicated or refusing deep brain stimulation ;
* patient ≥ 18 years old,
* women of childbearing potential must take effective contraception ;
* signature of informed consent ; p- atients who benefited from contralateral thalami c stimulation can be included in the study
Exclusion Criteria:
* brain irradiation history ;
* contraindication or inability to perform injected MRI ;
* life expectancy \<12 months ;
* claustrophobic patient who cannot stand the radiotherapy mask ;
* abnormal anatomy of the thalamic region ;
* treatment with a trial drug within 30 days of entering the study ;
* presence of medical, psychological, social or geographic factors likely to modify the patient's compliance with the protocol under study or the monitoring or signing of the consent
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.