753519
Last Update Posted: 2012-11-15
Recruiting has ended
All Genders accepted | 40 Years-80 Years |
28 Estimated Participants | No Expanded Access |
Interventional Study | Does not accept healthy volunteers |
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Treat Parkinson's Disease
This study will look at the effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) on symptoms of Parkinson's disease. TMS is a method of brain stimulation that may be able to change the activity of the nerve cells of the brain. This study will examine the effects of a specific pattern of stimulation called intermittent theta-burst TMS (iTBS), which uses repeated magnetic pulses delivered in short bursts.
People with mild to moderately severe Parkinson's disease who are between 40 and 80 years of age and whose main problems are slow movement and stiffness may be eligible for this study.
Participants undergo the following tests and procedures:
- Random assignment to real or placebo (sham) iTBS treatment.
- iTBS sessions (real or sham) 4 times a week for 2 consecutive weeks. For this test, the subject sits in a comfortable chair. A wire coil is held on the subject's scalp, and a brief electrical current is passed through the coil, creating a magnetic pulse that stimulates the brain. The subject hears a click and may feel a pulling sensation on the skin under the coil. There may be a twitch in the muscles of the face, arm or leg.
- Test of gait (walk), hand and arm movements before and after each session. The gait test requires walking 10 meters (about 30 yards) in the same corridor with the same shoes.
- Extended testing. The first and last gait tests (done before starting iTBS and after the eighth session) require coming off any Parkinson's medication for at least 12 hours before the test. On these test days, subjects also undergo a clinical examination, short neuropsychological test battery, a computer-based reaction time test and depression and quality-of-life rating scales. These procedures are repeated in a follow-up visit 1 month after the last session.
Objective
To demonstrate cumulative and long-lasting improvement of parkinsonian symptoms by iTBS and its safety in PD patients.
Study population
Patients (40-80 years of age) with PD, Hoehn and Yahr disease stage of 2 to 4 while off, being on a regimen including levodopa with a total dose of medication equal to more than 300 mg of levodopa, including their dopamine agonist agents, and having problems with walking and needing 6 seconds or more to walk a 10-meter distance.
Design
Randomized, double-blind, placebo (sham)-controlled study. Enrollment of 30 patients with PD in 2 groups (real versus sham stimulation). Performance (8 interventions) of iTBS with large circular coil over motor and prefrontal cortex on both sides. Assessment with standard tests of motor function over a one-month period.
Outcome measure
The primary endpoint is change in gait speed as assessed by the time it takes to walk 10 m.
Secondary endpoints include changes in bradykinesia as assessed by measuring the time it takes to do ten combined hand and arm movements, and in total and motor UPDRS score.
Eligibility
Relevant conditions:
Parkinson Disease
If you aren't sure if you meet the criteria above speak to your healthcare professional. Criteria may be updated but not reflected here, do not hesitate to contact the study if you think are close to fitting criteria.
locations
Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov