Alcohol's effect on common tremors
The Effect of Alcohol on Common Tremor Syndromes - A Prospective Double-blind Randomised Cross-over (Alcohol, Placebo) Study
NA · Medical University of Graz · NCT06403280
This study will test whether drinking a small amount of alcohol temporarily reduces hand tremor in people with essential tremor, dystonic tremor, tremor associated with dystonia, or Parkinson's disease.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 45 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 75 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Medical University of Graz (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Graz, Styria) |
| Trial ID | NCT06403280 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Adults with essential tremor (ET), essential tremor plus (ETplus), dystonic tremor (DT), tremor associated with dystonia (TaD), or tremor in Parkinson's disease (PD) will be enrolled (45 total, nine per group) in a randomized crossover experiment. Each participant attends two study days at the Medical University of Graz, receiving an alcoholic drink (vodka with rum-flavored orange juice targeting a blood alcohol concentration of 0.4‰) on one day and a matched non-alcoholic placebo on the other, with at least one day between visits. Tremor is measured with clinical exams and accelerometry at baseline and at 30, 60, and 120 minutes after drinking, and the amount of alcohol is calculated using the Widmark formula. Participants must stop tremor-influencing medications and alcohol 24 hours before testing, bring an accompanying person, and not drive on study days.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with a clinical diagnosis of ET, ETplus, DT, TaD, or PD who have upper-limb tremor, can abstain from driving and tremor medications as directed, and can attend two visits at the study site with an accompanying person.
Not a fit: Patients who cannot safely consume alcohol (including pregnancy, alcohol-use disorder, or medical contraindications) or whose tremor is not in the upper limbs are unlikely to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could identify which tremor types are temporarily improved by alcohol, helping guide symptomatic relief and diagnostic clarity.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies and clinical experience show alcohol often reduces essential tremor, but effects on dystonic tremor and Parkinsonian tremor are less well established.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * diagnosis of PD, DT, TaD, ET or ETplus based on clinical diagnostic criteria * tremor in upper extremities * accompanying person for both study visits Exclusion Criteria: * persons that are not willing to abstain from driving at both study days * patients with diseases prohibiting alcohol ingestion * patients with a history of alcohol abuse * pregnancy
Where this trial is running
Graz, Styria
- Medical University of Graz — Graz, Styria, Austria (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Petra Schwingenschuh, MD — Medical University of Graz
- Study coordinator: Petra Schwingenschuh, MD
- Email: petra.schwingenschuh@medunigraz.at
- Phone: +4331638583379
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Essential Tremor, Dystonia, Parkinson Disease, accelerometry, alcohol responsiveness