Accelerated temporal interference stimulation of the bilateral subthalamic nuclei for Parkinson's disease

A Single-Center, Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial of Accelerated Temporal Interference Stimulation Applied to Bilateral Subthalamic Nucleus for Improving Motor and Vocal Functions in Patients With Parkinson's Disease Or Secondary Parkinson's Syndrome

Not applicable Interventional First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University · NCT07568067

This study will see if accelerated temporal interference stimulation applied to both subthalamic nuclei helps improve movement and speech in people with Parkinson's disease or secondary parkinsonism.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment60 (estimated)
AgesN/A to 85 Years
SexAll
SponsorFirst Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Guangzhou, Guangdong)
Trial IDNCT07568067 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Investigators will deliver accelerated temporal interference stimulation targeted to the bilateral subthalamic nuclei in ambulatory patients with Parkinson's disease or secondary parkinsonism (Hoehn–Yahr stage 1.5–3). Motor performance and verbal speech function will be measured before and after the intervention to determine clinical effects. Functional MRI will be used as an ancillary imaging tool to characterize stimulation-related changes in brain function. Key exclusions include prior deep brain stimulation, major organ dysfunction, other neurological disease, severe psychiatric illness, MRI contraindications, and age over 80.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are ambulatory adults under 80 with idiopathic Parkinson's disease or secondary parkinsonism at Hoehn–Yahr stage 1.5–3 who can follow instructions, tolerate MRI, and have no prior DBS.

Not a fit: Patients with advanced disease (Hoehn–Yahr >3), prior DBS, significant cognitive impairment, other major neurological or psychiatric disorders, severe organ dysfunction, MRI incompatibility, or age over 80 are unlikely to benefit from this trial.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this noninvasive stimulation approach could reduce motor and speech symptoms and provide an alternative to invasive deep brain stimulation for some patients.

How similar studies have performed: Temporal interference is a novel noninvasive deep-brain stimulation technique with encouraging preclinical and early-phase pilot data but limited clinical evidence for subthalamic stimulation in Parkinson's disease.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Confirmed diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease or secondary parkinson's syndrome ; Hoehn-Yahr stage 1.5-3.
2. Ability to walk independently.
3. Ability to follow instructions, with no cognitive impairment.
4. Patient and their family agree to cooperate with treatment and provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Claustrophobia or presence of metallic implants precluding MRI examination and evaluation.
2. Severe dysfunction of vital organs including heart, lung, liver, kidney, etc.
3. Complicated with other neurological diseases such as cerebral infarction.
4. Presence of mental illness, severe depression, anxiety, etc., which may affect the accuracy of study results.
5. History of deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery.
6. Patients unable or unwilling to cooperate with scale assessments.
7. Aged over 80 years old.

Where this trial is running

Guangzhou, Guangdong

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Parkinson DiseaseParkinson Disease, Secondary
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.