Combining exercise and transcranial direct current stimulation to improve movement in Parkinson's disease
Effects of the Combination of Physical Exercise and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Motor Function and Underlying Neurophysiological Mechanisms in Parkinson's Disease
We will test whether adding transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to exercise helps improve movement in people with Parkinson's disease.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Universidad Rey Juan Carlos Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Fuenlabrada, Madrid) |
| Trial ID | NCT07524400 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized, blinded, controlled trial will compare real tDCS plus exercise, sham tDCS plus exercise, and exercise alone in a large sample of people with idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Participants on stable antiparkinsonian medication who meet cognitive and medical safety criteria will complete supervised exercise sessions with concurrent tDCS or sham stimulation at the Center of Sport Research in Fuenlabrada, Madrid. Motor outcomes will be measured before and after the intervention using clinical scales, and EEG and transcranial magnetic stimulation will probe changes in cortical excitability, motor preparation, and synaptic plasticity. The design aims both to see if tDCS potentiates exercise-related motor gains and to clarify underlying neurophysiological mechanisms.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (per UK Brain Bank criteria) who can follow study procedures, are on a stable antiparkinsonian medication regimen, and do not have significant cognitive impairment or contraindicating medical conditions.
Not a fit: Patients with marked cognitive impairment, clinically significant depression, history of seizures, cardiac pacemakers, uncontrolled medical conditions, or current cholinesterase inhibitor treatment are unlikely to be eligible and may not benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, combining tDCS with exercise could produce greater and longer-lasting improvements in motor function and daily activities for people with Parkinson's disease.
How similar studies have performed: A few small, heterogeneous studies suggest possible benefit from combining tDCS with exercise, but the existing evidence is limited and methodologically inconsistent.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Clinical diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease, established according to the UK Parkinson's Disease Society Brain Bank Criteria. Ability to understand and comply with study procedures. Stable antiparkinsonian medication regimen prior to study participation. Exclusion Criteria: Significant cognitive impairment, defined as a score \< 23 on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Below-average premorbid intelligence, defined as a score \< 40 on the Vocabulary subtest of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - Third Edition (WAIS-III). Clinically significant depression, defined as a score \> 10 on the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15). Current treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors. Presence of severe cardiovascular disease, including but not limited to: Congestive heart failure Ischemic heart disease Cardiac pacemaker Orthostatic hypotension Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. History of stroke or traumatic brain injury. History of seizure disorder or epilepsy. Presence or prior implantation of a deep brain stimulation (DBS) device. History of major orthopedic surgery that could interfere with motor performance or gait. Presence of implanted electronic devices, including cardiac pacemakers, incompatible with study procedures.
Where this trial is running
Fuenlabrada, Madrid
- Center of Sport Research — Fuenlabrada, Madrid, Spain (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Miguel Angel Fernández del Olmo, PhD — Universidad Rey Juan Carlos
- Study coordinator: Eduardo Villamil Cabell, PhD
- Email: eduardo.villamil@urjc.es
- Phone: +34 666 66 81 05
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.