Dual-Task Improvement in Parkinson's Via rTMS (rTMS)

December 16, 2025 updated by: Halil Ibrahim ERGEN, University of Gaziantep

The Effect of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Dual-task Performance in Patients With Parkinson's Disease

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) applied to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on cognitive function and dual-task performance in individuals with Parkinson's disease. Participants completed ten rTMS sessions over two weeks or received sham stimulation. Cognitive status was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and mobility was evaluated through single-task and multiple dual-task Timed Up and Go tests. The study examined whether rTMS could enhance cognitive abilities and improve motor-cognitive performance, which are commonly impaired in Parkinson's disease and contribute to reduced functional independence. Findings indicated that rTMS led to improvements in cognition, single-task mobility, and complex dual-task performance. The intervention was well tolerated, and no adverse events related to the stimulation intensity were reported.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Parkinson's disease often leads to declines in cognition, gait performance, and the ability to manage simultaneous cognitive-motor demands. These difficulties contribute to mobility limitations, fall risk, and loss of independence in older adults. This randomized controlled study investigates whether repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex can enhance cognitive function and improve single- and dual-task mobility performance in individuals with Parkinson's disease. Participants complete a two-week intervention consisting of active or sham stimulation. Standardized cognitive and functional mobility assessments are administered before and after the intervention to determine the extent of change associated with rTMS. The study is designed to provide preliminary evidence on whether neuromodulation of an executive-control region can support functional motor-cognitive interactions in this population.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
41

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.
  • Age 65 years or older.
  • Currently receiving dopaminergic therapy.
  • Ability to stand independently for at least 30 seconds.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Inability to walk for 2 minutes without a walking aid.
  • Any contraindication to transcranial magnetic stimulation (e.g., metal implants in the head, history of seizures).
  • Musculoskeletal injury or structural abnormality that could affect mobility assessment.
  • Presence of another neurological disease.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Active rTMS Group
Participants receive repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) applied to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex at 5 Hz, 120% of the resting motor threshold, for 10 sessions over two weeks.
Device: Active Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation applied to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex using a figure-8 coil. Stimulation delivered at 5 Hz, 120% of the resting motor threshold, 600 pulses per session, for 10 sessions over two weeks.
Sham Comparator: Sham Stimulation
Participants receive sham stimulation using the same coil positioning and session structure as the active rTMS group, but without active magnetic output. Sham sessions match the schedule and duration of the intervention arm.
Device: Sham Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Sham stimulation performed using the same coil placement, session duration, and procedures as the active rTMS condition, but without magnetic output. Sessions matched in schedule and structure to the active intervention.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Cognitive Function Measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
Time Frame: Baseline and after 2 weeks of intervention
The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a validated screening tool assessing attention, executive function, memory, language, visuospatial abilities, and orientation. Scores range from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating better cognitive performance. The outcome is defined as the change in total MoCA score from baseline to post-intervention.
Baseline and after 2 weeks of intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
University of Gaziantep

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
November 15, 2022

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
November 15, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
November 15, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
December 16, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
December 16, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
December 30, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
December 30, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
December 16, 2025

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
December 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 2022/345

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

Individual participant data will not be shared because the study involves a small sample size from a single clinical center, and the available data contain identifiable health information that cannot be fully anonymized for public release. No data-sharing infrastructure or repository has been established for this project.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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