Using magnetic stimulation to improve walking in Parkinson's patients

The Effect of Dual-site Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Freezing of Gait in Patients With Parkinson Disease

Not applicable Interventional The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University · NCT05925296

This study is testing if a special type of magnetic stimulation can help people with Parkinson's disease walk better and reduce episodes of freezing while walking.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment53 (estimated)
Ages40 Years to 80 Years
SexAll
SponsorThe First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Nanjing, Jiang Su)
Trial IDNCT05925296 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study examines the effectiveness of dual-site repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on reducing freezing of gait (FOG) in patients with Parkinson's disease. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either dual-site rTMS, single-site rTMS, or sham treatment over ten sessions. The study assesses various outcomes, including FOG severity, gait function, and motor symptoms, at multiple time points following the intervention. The goal is to determine if dual-site stimulation can provide greater improvements compared to single-site or sham treatments.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals aged 40 to 80 with idiopathic Parkinson's disease and a history of freezing of gait.

Not a fit: Patients with other neurological or psychiatric disorders, severe cognitive impairments, or those with contraindications to magnetic stimulation may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could significantly improve mobility and quality of life for patients with Parkinson's disease experiencing freezing of gait.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results with rTMS in treating motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease, suggesting potential for success in this dual-site approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD), as diagnosed by a neurologist.
2. Item 3 of the Freezing of Gait Questionnaire(FOG-Q) scored ≥1.
3. Age between 40 and 80 years old.
4. Mini-Mental State Examination score \>24.
5. Ability to walk 30 meters independently.
6. Stable medication.
7. Patients experienced FOG during an interview.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Other neurological or psychiatric disorders.
2. Severe personality disorder. History of epilepsy, seizures, or convulsions.
3. History of head injury or stroke.
4. Metal remains of the skull or inside the brain (outside the oral cavity).
5. Surgeries including metallic implants or known history of metal particles in the eye, pacemakers,hearing devices transplantation, or medical pumps.
6. Severe dyskinesia, tremor, cognitive, visual or auditory impairment.
7. Patients who could not complete the follow-up.

Where this trial is running

Nanjing, Jiang Su

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Parkinson Diseasefreezing of gaitrTMS
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.