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

NCT07014384 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 15

Last updated 2026-05-19

No results posted yet for this study

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.

Conditions

  • Isolated Cervical Dystonia

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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Model
CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2024-09-15
Primary Completion
2025-09-15
Completion
2026-01-06

Countries

  • Germany

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07014384 on ClinicalTrials.gov