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A Pilot Study to Assess the Effects of Pre-SMA LF-rTMS for the Treatment of Essential Tremor

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Essential Tremor
Interventions
Device: MagVenture MagProx100 Stimulator with a Cool-B65 A/P coil
Device: eSHAM system
Registration Number
NCT02763865
Lead Sponsor
Medical University of South Carolina
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of Low Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (LF r-TMS) of the pre-Supplementary Motor Area (pre-SMA) on tremor as measured by the tremor rating scale (TRS) in patients with Essential Tremor (ET).

Hypothesis: Pre-SMA LF r-TMS will result in a \>30% reduction in tremor as measured by the TRS. Another purpose of this study is to identify the mechanism by which LF r-TMS of the pre-SMA effects tremor in patients with ET.

Hypothesis: Inhibition of the pre-SMA by LF r-TMS improves tremor in ET by normalizing pre-SMA output, and improving motor control, as determined shortening of the delay in the second agonist burst, seen in ET patients. At conclusion of this study expect to have sufficient pilot data to justify larger pivotal trials designed to establish the efficacy of pre-SMA r-TMS in ET.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
10
Inclusion Criteria
  • Greater than 18 of age
  • Meet the diagnostic criteria for essential tremor with visible upper limb tremor
  • Must be either on stable medications to treat tremor for 30 days, or no medications to treat tremor
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Exclusion Criteria
  • History of seizures

  • History of chronic pain conditions

  • Any metal in their body above their shoulders

  • Use of medications that lower seizure threshold including:

    • broad classes of drugs such as tricyclic antidepressants
    • anti-psychotics
    • neuroeptics
    • thyroid medications and stimulants
  • Use of any medications that cause tremor, Pregnancy

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Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Active pre-SMA rTMSMagVenture MagProx100 Stimulator with a Cool-B65 A/P coilThe intervention to be administered is the MagVenture MagProx100 Stimulator with a Cool-B65 A/P coil l to administer active rTMS at 1Hz, 1,200sec, 110% resting motor threshold (rMT); 1200 pulses total. Two Thymapad Stimulus Electrodes will be placed in the appropriate position during active rTMS administration.This intervention method will be used for all 15 treatment sessions (20 minutes/session).
Sham pre-SMA rTMSeSHAM systemThe intervention to be administered is the eSHAM system used in conjunction with the MagVenture MagProx100 Stimulator with the Cool-B65 A/P Coil. For eSHAM administration two Thymapad Stimulus Electrodes will be placed on the scalp location that corresponded to left DLPFC. This intervention method will be used for all 15 treatment sessions (20 minutes/session). Previous studies have shown the eSHAM system effectively blinds participants to rTMS treatment (active versus sham).
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Mean TRS (Tremor Rating Score)Baseline (Visit 2) post intervention

Participants will be videotaped as they are being examined for the purpose of rating their tremor for the TRS. TRS scale is a range of 0 - 84 (0 being the least severe and 84 being the most severe tremor)

Mean TRS (Tremor Rating Score) at 4 Week Followup4 week followup(visit 18)

Participants will be videotaped as they are being examined for the purpose of rating their tremor for the TRS. TRS scale is a range of 0 - 84 (0 being the least severe and 84 being the most severe tremor)

Mean TRS (Tremor Rating Score) at 12 Week Followup12-week followup(visit 20)

Participants will be videotaped as they are being examined for the purpose of rating their tremor for the TRS. TRS scale is a range of 0 - 84 (0 being the least severe and 84 being the most severe tremor)

Mean TRS (Tremor Rating Score) at 8 Week Followup8 week followup (visit 19)

Participants will be videotaped as they are being examined for the purpose of rating their tremor for the TRS. TRS scale is a range of 0 - 84 (0 being the least severe and 84 being the most severe tremor)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
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