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

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

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

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

41

Phase

  • 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

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
Intervention / Treatment
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

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

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)

November 15, 2022

Primary Completion (Actual)

November 15, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

November 15, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

December 16, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

December 16, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

December 30, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

December 30, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

December 16, 2025

Last Verified

December 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID 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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