Actively Recruiting
High Frequency Light, Sound, and Tactile Stimulation to Improve Motor and Cognitive Deficits in Parkinson's Disease
Led by Massachusetts Institute of Technology · Updated on 2026-03-31
40
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
298 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Parkinson's disease (PD) impacts different types of neural oscillations in the brain, including beta (13-30Hz) and gamma oscillations (30-80Hz), which contributes to PD's cardinal symptoms of resting tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia (slowness of movement), and gait instability. The investigators' lab has developed a non-invasive method of increasing gamma power in the brain using Gamma Entrainment Using Sensory Stimulation (GENUS) through light, sound, and tactile stimulation devices. For this study, 40 participants with mild Parkinson's disease will be recruited, and the investigators will assess their brain waves with electroencephalogram (EEG) before, during, and after light, sound, and tactile stimulation to determine the safety, feasibility, and optimization of GENUS as a potential therapy in the PD population.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
High Frequency Light, Sound, and Tactile Stimulation to Improve Motor and Cognitive Deficits in Parkinson's Disease
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinson's disease by a movement disorder specialist
- Hoehn & Yahr stage 2 to 3
- Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) score of 26 or higher
- Between 45 and 90 years old
- Proficient in speaking, reading, and understanding English
- Able to provide informed written consent
- On a stable dose of antiparkinsonian medication for at least 1 month prior to the study and willing to maintain it
- If taking a cholinesterase inhibitor, dose must be stable for at least 1 month
- Has had a brain CT or MRI to rule out other structural brain issues
You will not qualify if you...
- Atypical Parkinson's syndromes due to drugs or other disorders like Wilson's Disease or Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
- History of psychiatric illness posing safety risks
- Diagnosis of dementia or other neurological conditions
- Currently taking sedative medications that are clinically contraindicated
- Medication changes within the last month
- Recent drug or alcohol abuse or dependence
- Laboratory results posing safety risk
- Participation in another clinical trial within the past 3 months
- Pregnancy
- No healthcare access
- History of epilepsy, stroke, or seizures in past 24 months
- Diagnosis of migraines
- Certain implantable medical devices
- Contraindications for MRI
- Life expectancy less than 2 years
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, 02139
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
G
gamma wave
CONTACT
A
Ana Trisini Lipsanopoulos, BS
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
DOUBLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Number of Arms
2
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