Deep Brain Stimulation and Speech/Swallow Function in Parkinson's Disease

This study is looking at how Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery, a treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD), affects your speech and ability to swallow. Researchers want to understand if DBS targeting the GPi or STN parts of the brain has different effects on these functions. You might be able to join if you have idiopathic (non-genetic) Parkinson's disease, are between 45 and 85 years old, have mild to moderate voice or swallowing problems, and are approved for DBS surgery but haven't had it yet. The study will measure changes in your voice, cough, and swallowing safety before and after your DBS surgery. The current status of this study is unclear, and it plans to enroll 100 participants.

Study design
This is an interventional study, meaning participants will receive a specific treatment (DBS surgery) as part of their normal care. It plans to enroll 100 participants.
What's involved
You would have your voice, cough, and swallowing safety measured before your DBS surgery, and then again 4-12 months after surgery, and 6-12 months after your last post-operative visit.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
You will be followed for at least 6-12 months after your last post-operative visit following DBS surgery.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT07026734

The Impact of Deep Brain Stimulation on Speech and Swallow Function in Parkinson Disease

Recruiting
NAAges 45–85Interventional
University of Florida
~100 participants
Updated 2026-07-21 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Deep brain stimulation surgery - GPiDeep Brain Stimulation Surgery - STN

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Glottal closure
Measured over Prior to DBS surgery, 4 - 12 months following DBS surgery, and 6 - 12 months after the last post-operative visit
+2 more outcomes measured
Parkinson Disease, Idiopathic

NCT07026734

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • University of Florida, Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases

    Gainesville, Floridastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

  • Karen Hegland, Ph.D. · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Florida

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

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Eligibility criteria

Exclusion

Head, neck, or lung cancer (except minor squamous cell skin cancers)
Structural, functional, or neurologic voice disorder unrelated to PD
Chronic refractory cough
Bleeding disorder
  • Glottal closurePrior to DBS surgery, 4 - 12 months following DBS surgery, and 6 - 12 months after the last post-operative visit

    Flexible or rigid endoscopy will be used to image the larynx. From these images, glottal closure will be analyzed using a 6-point scale ranging from 1 (complete glottal closure along all length of the vocal folds) and 6 (Incomplete glottal closure along all length of the vocal folds)

  • Voluntary cough airflowPrior to DBS surgery, 4 - 12 months following DBS surgery, and 6 - 12 months after the last post-operative visit

    The airflow signal from the voluntary cough task will be measured to determine peak airflow, total volume of airflow, and rise time to peak flow.

  • Swallowing safetyPrior to DBS surgery, 4 - 12 months following DBS surgery, and 6 - 12 months after the last post-operative visit

    The penetration-aspiration scale will be used to determine whether swallowed material enters the airway, and how far down it goes (i.e., above, at, or below the level of the vocal folds) and whether there is visible residue.