Investigating how exercise affects brain and movement in dystonia patients

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This research focuses on understanding the effects of progressive resistance exercise on individuals with focal cervical dystonia. The study will utilize functional MRI (fMRI) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to assess brain adaptations and changes in motor behavior in response to a structured exercise program. Participants will be divided into two groups: one receiving exercise training alongside standard care and the other continuing standard care without exercise. The goal is to determine if exercise can enhance treatment outcomes for patients who have not responded well to existing therapies.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients have predominantly focal cervical dystonia and whose diagnosis will be confirmed by a movement disorders specialist following criteria recommended by Movement Disorders Society.
* Moderate disease severity.
* Are 30 to 85 years old
* Are able to tolerate exercise sessions.
* Reporting suboptimal clinical benefits despite receiving maximally tolerated doses of BoNT injections for the neck muscles and/or oral pharmacological therapy.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Participating in an alternate structured exercise program, receiving regular physical or occupational therapy
* Have significant pain, spondylosis or active arthritis
* Fail the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire
* Have significant cognitive impairment
* Have implanted electrical device (eg, cardiac pacemaker or a DBS or a neurostimulator or metallic clip in their body, as necessitated by the risks of MRI or TMS
* Active seizure disorder; not be eligible for TMS and claustrophobic for MRI portion. As necessitated by the risks of MRI or TMS, patients who have any type of implanted electrical device (such as a cardiac pacemaker or a neurostimulator), or a certain type of metallic clip in their body (i.e., an aneurysm clip in the brain), active seizure disorder are not eligible for participation in the MRI or TMS portion of the study.
* Pregnancy tests will be carried out for each female subject of child bearing potential prior to the participation in the study and prior to each follow up visit (as indicated).

Where it's running

• University of Florida
  Gainesville, Florida, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Aparna Wagle Shukla, MD — University of Florida

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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• Measuring brain network activity to predict and improve outcomes in children with dystonia

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• Wearable sensors to predict DBS results for people with dystonia

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• Using GPi brain signals to guide DBS programming for primary dystonia

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.