Effects of Targeted Temporal Interference Stimulation of Cerebellar Nuclei on Tremor and Gait Disturbance in Parkinson's Disease Patients

NCT07384442 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2026022
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 50
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to explore the effects of cerebellar nuclei TIS stimulation on improving tremor and gait disorders in PD patients. Through randomized double-blind grouping, the differences in efficacy between TIS intervention and sham stimulation intervention for tremor and gait disorders in PD patients will be compared.

Conditions

Parkinson's Disease; Movement Disorders

Keywords

Parkinson's Disease; Cerebellar Nuclei; Movement Disorders; Tremor; Gait; Temporal Interference Stimulation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Changes of electromyographic tremor index

  The values of the tremor amplitude (oscillatory displacement) will be collected from each participant to measure the intensity of the tremor with values ranging from 0 mm (absence of tremor) to the peak amplitude (maximum intensity). The higher values mean a worse motor stability.

  Baseline, at the end of the 19-day post-treatment, 30-day follow up.

• Changes of Zhenluo Gait Device evaluation

  The parameters of the Zhenluo Gait Device evaluation (spatiotemporal gait analysis) will be collected from each participant to measure the stability and quality of walking patterns with values ranging from pathological (abnormal deviation) to physiological (normal gait). The greater deviation from normative data means a worse gait performance.

  Baseline, at the end of the 19-day post-treatment, 30-day follow up.

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Changes in the scores of the UPDRS

  Baseline, at the end of the 19-day post-treatment, 30-day follow up.

Study Arms (2)

Sham Comparator

SHAM COMPARATOR

Sham stimulation targeting the cerebellar nuclei

Device: Sham Temporal Interference Stimulation

Active Comparator

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Real TIS targeting the cerebellar nuclei

Device: Real Temporal Interference Stimulation

Interventions

Sham Temporal Interference Stimulation DEVICE

Patients will be randomly allocated into this group, and they will receive sham TIS-targeted stimulation of cerebellar nuclei, stimulating both sides of the cerebellum daily for 20 minutes each side. Start with the left side, immediately followed by the right side upon completion, totaling 40 minutes of stimulation. Continue this cycle for 5 days, followed by 2 days of rest, then repeat for another 5 days, repeating this process continuously for 19 days.The TIS frequency was set to 0 Hz to prevent the generation of envelope currents.

Sham Comparator

Real Temporal Interference Stimulation DEVICE

Patients will be randomly allocated into this group, and they will receive real stimulation.TIS-targeted stimulation of cerebellar nuclei, stimulating both sides of the cerebellum daily for 20 minutes each side. Start with the left side, immediately followed by the right side upon completion, totaling 40 minutes of stimulation. Continue this cycle for 5 days, followed by 2 days of rest, then repeat for another 5 days, repeating this process continuously for 19 days. The TIS was set at a frequency of 100 Hz; The stimulus frequency difference was fixed for each subject, while the stimulus current was adjusted based on individual tolerance and clinical needs.

Active Comparator

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 50 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Aged 50 years or older;
• Confirmed diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) according to the 2015 MDS diagnostic criteria, with tremor and gait disturbance;
• Disease duration ≥2 years after diagnosis, stable condition, and ability to cooperate with study assessment and intervention;
• Stable medication dosage for at least 4 weeks prior to the trial;
• Good response to Levodopa therapy;
• Capable of independent walking (without assistive devices) for at least 5 minutes and able to complete gait testing independently.
• Signed informed consent form, with the participant or their legal guardian able to understand and willing to participate in this study.

You may not qualify if:

• History or confirmed diagnosis of severe mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and bipolar disorder;
• The subject has clinically defined neurological conditions (assessed through self-report), including but not limited to: any disease potentially associated with increased intracranial pressure, space-occupying lesions, stroke history, transient ischemic attack (TIA) within the past two years, cerebral aneurysm, dementia, multiple sclerosis;
• Severe cognitive impairment, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score \<22, or inability to independently complete questionnaires;
• Inability to read or understand Chinese;
• Use of other neuromodulatory therapies within the past 3 months;
• Presence of musculoskeletal or orthopedic conditions (e.g., severe arthritis, recent fractures) that significantly interfere with gait or balance;
• Presence of metal implants (e.g., Deep Brain Stimulation, cardiac pacemakers) or contraindications for MRI/TIS;
• Current use of medications that affect dopamine levels (e.g., antipsychotics);
• Severe cardiovascular disease or other unstable medical conditions that preclude physical exertion or study participation;

Sponsors & Collaborators

• YangPan: lead

Study Sites (1)

Zhongnan hospital

Wuhan, Hubei, 430000, China

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Parkinson Disease; Movement Disorders; Tremor

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Parkinsonian Disorders; Basal Ganglia Diseases; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Synucleinopathies; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Dyskinesias; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Central Study Contacts

Yang Pan

CONTACT

+8613952098253; panyang.zn@whu.edu.cn

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Zhongnan Hospital

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 26, 2026
• First Posted: February 3, 2026
• Study Start: March 19, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026
• Last Updated: March 23, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Locations

CN (1)