By InvitationNot Applicable

Efficacy of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Improving Depressive Symptoms in Patients With Parkinson's Disease

South Korea50 participantsStarted 2026-05-04

Plain-language summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in improving depressive symptoms in patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD). Participants will be randomly assigned to either an active rTMS group or a sham-control group. The study aims to establish an optimal treatment protocol using a neuronavigation system and to validate treatment responses through various digital biomarkers such as facial expression analysis and eye-tracking.

Who can participate

Age range

40 Years – 90 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Willing and able to provide written informed consent * Male or female aged 40 to 90 years * Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease with depressive symptoms * Hoehn and Yahr stage 1 to 3 * On stable Parkinson's disease medication for at least 3 months prior to screening, with no planned dose increase during the study period * BDI-II score ≥ 14 (mild depression) or ≥ 20 (moderate depression) * Able to read and write Korean and capable of independently completing questionnaires Exclusion Criteria: * History of epilepsy * Parkinson's disease caused by cerebrovascular disease, CNS infection, intoxication, or traumatic brain injury * Diagnosed with Parkinson-plus syndromes (multiple system atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, dementia with Lewy bodies etc.) * Clinically significant abnormal laboratory values (AST, ALT, or total bilirubin \> 2.5 x ULN) * Diagnosed with psychiatric disorders * Unable to follow instructions or communicate * Pregnant, breastfeeding, or women of childbearing potential * Febrile patients * Patients with artificial hip joint implants * Presence of conductive, ferromagnetic, or magnetically sensitive metal near the head or treatment coil (e.g., cochlear implants, implanted electrodes/stimulators, aneurysm clips or coils) * Cardiac disease, especially patients with pacemakers * Corrected or uncorrected visual acuity less than 0.5 * Use of drug infusion pumps or hearing aids * Patients with acute illness * …

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II)

Timeframe: Change from Baseline (T0) at 1 week (T1) and 5 weeks (T2, 1-month follow-up)

Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI)

Timeframe: Change from Baseline (T0) at 1 week (T1) and 5 weeks (T2, 1-month follow-up)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07569133

SponsorHo-Won Lee

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-10-23

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Parkinson's Disease trials