4 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
Mal de Débarquement Syndrome (MdDS) is an under-recognized balance disorder, which is manifested by persistent false sensations of oscillatory self-motion (rocking/swaying) and/or pulling in a specific direction (gravitational pull). Patients with MdDS typically experience additional presumably secondary symptoms, such as heightened sensitivity to visual motion (visually induced dizziness, VID), physical motion (motion sickness, MS), and other debilitating physical, cognitive, or affective problems. MdDS was previously considered intractable, and only recently was a breakthrough made in the clinical laboratory with an introduction of a visual-vestibular therapy protocol, yielding a significant long-term improvement of symptoms, including complete remission, in about 50% of patients. However, the approach is limited in several ways. Firstly, there is a practical limitation in implementing the treatment protocol, which requires a specialized set-up for visual stimulation in a dedicated room. This research will address this limitation by testing the utility of virtual reality technology to implement the treatment protocol. Secondly, patients often retain residual symptoms of VID and MS susceptibility, which often act as a trigger for the recurrence of MdDS. This limitation will be addressed by supplementing the original approach with an additional treatment focusing on VID or MS susceptibility. Thirdly, although the original protocol focused on reducing rocking/swaying sensations, gravitational pull often co-occurs with such sensations, and some experience only that motion sensation. This limitation will be addressed by modifying the original protocol. Two hundred patients with MdDS will be recruited for the study. Bias will be controlled by randomized group assignment and the use of placebo treatments. Patients will be treated for 1-2 hours a day for 5 days. Patients will be followed for up to 6 months. The proposed study will facilitate improved outcomes for MdDS by broadening its treatment options.
Mal de Debarquement Syndrome (MdDS) is an under-recognized but nevertheless common balance disorder, which in most cases occurs after exposure to prolonged passive motion. The current treatment approaches focus on reducing symptoms, but they can be retriggered. This project aims to shift the focus of MdDS treatment to permanently eliminating the symptom trigger while also minimizing symptoms.
The goal of this study is to determine whether external neuromodulation using transcranial electrical stimulation (TES) can reduce the perception of self-motion that is experienced by patients with MdDS. Mal de debarquement is translated as the "sickness of disembarkment," and refers to the chronic feeling of rocking dizziness that occurs after exposure to passive motion. A similar form of rocking dizziness can be experienced without a motion trigger in individuals with certain risk factors. Treatment for MdDS is limited and morbidity is high.The goal of the study is to determine whether TES can suppress the rocking dizziness of MdDS either as a standalone therapy or as an adjunctive therapy to other forms of neuromodulation such as transcranial magnetic stimulation. The investigators will determine the optimal treatment duration and stimulation parameters.
The goal of this study is to determine whether external neuromodulation using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can reduce the perception of self-motion that is experienced by individuals with mal de debarquement syndrome (MdDS). Mal de debarquement is translated as the "sickness of disembarkment," and refers to the chronic feeling of rocking dizziness that occurs after exposure to passive motion. Treatment for MdDS is limited and morbidity is high. The goal of the study is to determine whether rTMS can suppress the rocking dizziness of MdDS.