Vibrotactile Stimulation for Torticollis

((CD-VTS) Trial)

Overseen By Jürgen Konczak, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Minnesota

Must not be taking: Benzodiazepines, Antidepressants

Disqualifiers: Parkinson's, Essential tremor, Dementia, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

50 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how different levels of vibration can correct abnormal head posture in individuals with cervical dystonia, a condition causing uncontrollable neck muscle contractions. Participants will receive varying intensities of cervical vibrotactile stimulation to determine if higher intensity proves more effective. The trial also investigates whether this treatment can enhance proprioception in the neck, wrist, and ankle. Individuals diagnosed with adult-onset cervical dystonia, without other neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease, might be suitable candidates.

As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to pioneering research that could lead to innovative treatments for cervical dystonia.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial excludes people who regularly take benzodiazepines or antidepressant medication, so you may need to stop these medications to participate.

What prior data suggests that cervical vibrotactile stimulation is safe for people with cervical dystonia?

Research has shown that gentle vibrations on the neck are generally well-tolerated by patients. One study found that this method can quickly improve head posture in people with cervical dystonia without causing significant side effects. Another study discovered that it can also reduce pain in people with dystonia, suggesting it may help without adding extra discomfort. Although detailed safety information remains limited, these findings suggest the treatment is safe. Participants in previous trials did not report major negative effects, making it a promising option for managing symptoms of cervical dystonia. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about cervical vibrotactile stimulation for torticollis because it offers a novel, non-invasive approach to treatment. Unlike standard care options, which often include botulinum toxin injections or oral medications that focus on muscle relaxation, this technique uses targeted vibrations to potentially improve proprioception—the body's ability to sense movement and position. By enhancing proprioception, the treatment may help reduce the abnormal muscle contractions characteristic of cervical dystonia, offering a new avenue for relieving symptoms. This approach could lead to fewer side effects and a more natural improvement in neck movement and control.

What evidence suggests that cervical vibrotactile stimulation is effective for cervical dystonia?

Research has shown that vibrations on the neck, known as cervical vibrotactile stimulation (VTS), can improve abnormal head positions in people with cervical dystonia. In this trial, participants in the Cervical Dystonia Group will receive VTS. One study found that VTS quickly corrected head posture in these patients. Another study reported a 60% reduction in unwanted neck movements after using VTS. Additionally, VTS has lessened neck pain, with effects lasting up to 20 minutes after treatment. These findings suggest that VTS could be a promising non-invasive method to manage symptoms of cervical dystonia. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals with cervical dystonia, a condition causing abnormal head posture or 'wryneck.' Participants will be compared to healthy controls and should be available for a single three-hour lab visit. Specific inclusion and exclusion criteria details are not provided.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with cervical dystonia that started in adulthood.

Exclusion Criteria

I experience severe head tremors or facial muscle contractions.

I regularly take benzodiazepines or antidepressants.

I have a nerve disease affecting my sense of body position.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

One-time Lab Visit

Participants undergo clinical questionnaires, proprioception testing, and vibrotactile stimulation

3 hours

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the lab visit

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Cervical Vibrotactile Stimulation

Trial Overview The study tests whether different intensities of cervical vibrotactile stimulation can correct the head posture in people with cervical dystonia more effectively. It also examines if this stimulation improves proprioception (body position sense) at the neck, wrist, and ankle joints.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Cervical Dystonia Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

All participants with cervical dystonia will be in this group to receive the intervention. After answer three questionnaires (The Mini Mental State Examination, the Revised Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale and Psychiatric Screening Tool, Fahn, Tolosa, Marin Tremor Rating Scale), their neck, wrist, and ankle proprioception will be tested respectively. They they will go through the intervention of cervical vibrotactile stimulation. Lastly, their neck proprioception will be tested again.

Group II: Healthy Controls Active Control 1 Intervention

Healthy people age- and sex- matched with participants with cervical dystonia will be in this group. This group will only be tested on their neck, wrist, and ankle proprioception, to compare with the cervical dystonia group.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Minnesota

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,459

Recruited

1,623,000+

Citations

1. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1353802025000045

Vibro-tactile stimulation of the neck induces head righting ... The study provides first systematic evidence that cervical VTS can induce fast-acting improvements in abnormal head posture in patients with CD.

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07245615

Effect of Vibro-tactile Stimulation Intensity on Head Posture ... The primary goal of this clinical trial is to examine the effects of cervical vibrotactile stimulation intensity on abnormal head posture in ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10676773/

Vibro-Tactile Stimulation as a Non-Invasive ... Results: The frequency of intermittent dystonic neck movements decreased by 60% after VTS. In addition, PAA during dystonic episodes was drastically reduced ...

4. link.springer.com link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10072-024-07561-1

Vibro-tactile stimulation of the neck reduces pain in people ... The study data provide proof-of-concept that cervical VTS can induce fast-acting pain relief in CD that persists for up to 20 min after the ...

5. hsc.umn.edu hsc.umn.edu/vibro-tactile-stimulation-topic/vibro-tactile-stimulation

Vibro-Tactile Stimulation to Treat Cervical Dystonia VTS applied to the neck muscles may reduce pain in people with CD. Results from our multi-center clinical trial indicate that cervical VTS can reduce neck pain ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12015765/

Efficacy of Segmental Muscle Vibration on Pain Modulation in ... For instance, a proof-of-concept study demonstrated that vibrotactile stimulation of the neck reduced pain in individuals with dystonia [14].

7. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06748846

Segmental Muscle Vibration on Pain in Patients With ... The primary outcome measure will be pain and disability as assessed by the Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale (TWSTRS) and the ...

8. frontierspartnerships.org frontierspartnerships.org/journals/dystonia/articles/10.3389/dyst.2025.14547/epub

clinical trials in therapeutic interventions for dystonia (2020 The results of “An Open-Label Phase 2a Study to Evaluate the Safety and Tolerability of Perampanel in Cervical Dystonia” were published in 2021 ...