Plain-English translation of NCT07226284 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated · How we translate trials
This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.
This trial is testing a noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) treatment to see if it can improve balance and leg muscle function in people with Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's affects how the brain controls muscles, which can make balance and walking difficult. This study will test whether stimulating the vagus nerve — a major nerve in your neck — can help restore normal muscle firing patterns and improve your posture and stability.
People with Parkinson's often struggle with balance and posture because the disease changes how their spinal cord controls leg muscles. Researchers believe that this treatment might restore these muscle control patterns and help prevent falls and mobility problems — but this has never been tested before in Parkinson's patients.
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You will visit the research lab for several sessions. In the first part, researchers will measure how your leg muscles respond and assess your balance and posture while you stand and walk — first without any stimulation, then with real vagus nerve stimulation applied through electrodes on your neck, and finally with a sham (fake) stimulation so they can compare results. The nerve stimulation is gentle and noninvasive, delivered through small electrodes placed on the skin of your neck. Each session involves walking, standing tests, and muscle activity measurements.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Jul 16, 2026 · Not medical advice
United States
Sponsor
University of Minnesota
Collaborators
Parkinson's Foundation
Enrollment target
~75 participants
Started
February 2026
Primary completion
January 2029
Age range
21 Years – 76 Years
Last updated on clinicaltrials.gov in February 2026.
Reach out to the team running this trial. Response times vary — some teams are faster than others.
Central contact
Principal Investigator
University of Minnesota
Tell us you're interested and we'll help connect you with the research team. We'll walk you through what to expect first — no email needed to get started.