CompletedNot Applicable

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Freezing of Gait in Parkinson's Disease

China85 participantsStarted 2021-09-01

Plain-language summary

This study evaluated transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for freezing of gait in patients with Parkinson's disease. Participants with Parkinson's disease and freezing of gait received conventional TMS protocols, and their clinical, gait, and neurophysiological outcomes were assessed. Patients who did not achieve sufficient improvement after conventional TMS were further treated with a combined primary motor cortex and cerebellar stimulation protocol. The study aimed to identify factors associated with differential response to conventional TMS and to explore whether cerebellar stimulation could improve symptoms in treatment-resistant patients.

Who can participate

Age range

40 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: * (1) a score of ≥ 1 on MDS-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) Item 13 or FOGQ Item 3, with freezing episodes during gait initiation, turning, or navigating narrow spaces confirmed by two independent investigators; (2) a stable antiparkinsonian medication regimen for at least four weeks before enrollment; (3) right-handedness; (4) age ≥ 40 years; (5) no current use of antidepressants, anxiolytics, or antipsychotic agents. Antiparkinsonian medications and their dosages remained unchanged throughout the study. Exclusion Criteria: * (1) personal or family history of atypical parkinsonian syndromes, including multiple system atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, Wilson's disease, and vascular parkinsonism; (2) coexisting movement disorders or other neurodegenerative conditions; (3) gait-impairing disorders such as primary progressive freezing of gait; (4) impaired consciousness, or visual, auditory, or language deficits that precluded full assessment; (5) severe systemic diseases, including cardiopulmonary disorders, hepatic or renal insufficiency, malignancies, and hematologic or autoimmune diseases; (6) prior cranial surgery or deep brain stimulation (DBS); (7) pregnancy; (8) history of epilepsy; (9) severe cognitive impairment with a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score below 24; and (10) other contraindications to TMS.

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.

1This trial used transcranial magnetic stimulation — a non-invasive brain stimulation technique — to try to reduce freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease. Is TMS something worth considering for my situation, and how does it compare to the medications or physical therapy approaches I'm already on or might try first?
2The trial measured success using something called the Freezing of Gait Questionnaire — can you explain what that questionnaire captures, and how meaningful an improvement on that scale would actually feel in day-to-day life for someone like me?
3Since this trial has already been completed, has the results data been published yet, and if so, what did they find about whether TMS actually helped reduce freezing episodes?
4This trial was listed as Phase NA, which often applies to device or non-drug studies — does that affect how much we know about the safety profile of TMS for Parkinson's patients, and are there any risks I should understand before considering it?
5Freezing of gait can vary a lot depending on where someone is in their Parkinson's progression — based on my current stage and symptoms, would the type of TMS approach tested in this trial even be a realistic option to discuss with my care team?

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

Freezing of Gait Questionnaire Improvement Rate

Timeframe: Baseline and 1 month after treatment

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07731841

SponsorThe First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-12-30

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Parkinson Disease (PD) trials