Effect of daily repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on motor performance in Parkinson's disease.
Author: Khedr EM, Rothwell JC, Shawky OA, Ahmed MA, Hamdy A.
Source:
Movement disorders: official journal of the Movement Disorder Society, 21(12), 2201-2205.
Previous studies in patients with Parkinson's disease have reported that a single
session of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can improve some
or all of the motor symptoms for 30 to 60 minutes. A recent study suggested that
repeated sessions of rTMS lead to effects that can last for at least 1 month.
Here we report data that both confirm and extend this work. Fifty-five
unmedicated PD patients were classified into four groups: two groups (early and
late PD) received 25 Hz rTMS bilaterally on the motor arm and leg areas; other
groups acted as control for frequency (10 Hz) and for site of stimulation
(occipital stimulation). All patients received six consecutive daily sessions
(3,000 pulses for each session). The first two groups then received a further
three booster sessions (3 consecutive days of rTMS) after 1, 2, and 3 months,
while the third group had only one additional session after the first month.
Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), walking time, key-tapping
speed, and self-assessment scale were measured for each patient before and after
each rTMS session and before and after the monthly sessions. Compared to
occipital stimulation, 25 Hz rTMS over motor areas improved all measures in both
early and late groups; the group that received 10 Hz rTMS improved more than the
occipital group but less than the 25 Hz groups. The effect built up gradually
during the sessions and was maintained for 1 month after, with a slight reduction
in efficacy. Interestingly, the effect was restored and maintained for the next
month by the booster sessions. We conclude that 25 Hz rTMS can lead to cumulative
and long-lasting effects on motor performance. Copyright 2006 Movement Disorder
Society