How Does TMS Benefit Patients With Parkinson’s Disease?

In conjunction with exercise, TMS improves motor function, but sham stimulation provides similar results.

Neurology Reviews. 2018 September;26(9):7

August 9, 2018|Neurology Reviews

They conducted a parallel, active-controlled, double-blind, randomized study of four weekly sessions of low-frequency repetitive TMS in 22 patients with Parkinson’s disease. The control group received TMS over the SMA and sham stimulation over the PMd. The experimental group received TMS over both areas. The study outcomes included all components of the UPDRS, as well as UPDRS III axial, tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia scores. Dr. Biagioni and colleagues assessed patients in the on state at baseline and at four weeks after treatment.

Participants’ mean age was 65, and eight patients were female. Mean disease duration was approximately nine years, mean UPDRS total score was 53.1, and mean UPDRS III score was 35.9. The only significant difference between the control and experimental groups at baseline was Montreal Cognitive Assessment score, which was 24.2 in the control group and 26.4 in the experimental group.

Both interventions were well tolerated. After one month, UPDRS III decreased by 5.5 points in the control group and by 6.5 points in the experimental group. Both changes were statistically significant, but the difference between groups was not significant. The researchers found no difference between groups in total UPDRS and UPDRS III after one month. Axial score significantly decreased in the experimental group, compared with the control group, but the researchers found no significant differences between groups in rigidity, tremor, or bradykinesia scores. In addition, the cortical silent period was significantly prolonged in the experimental group, compared with the control group.

—Erik Greb

How Does TMS Benefit Patients With Parkinson’s Disease?

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