Non-lesional treatments for tremor in Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Tremor is often perceived as severely disabling by patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (iPD) and yet ranges among the most difficult symptoms to treat. To date, no comprehensive analysis of non-lesional therapies to manage tremor in iPD exists to base recommendations upon. We therefore present a systematic literature review and meta-analysis assessing the efficacy/effectiveness and safety of non-lesional treatments for tremor in iPD.

Three electronic databases were searched using a combination of title/abstract keywords complemented by hand-searching of reference lists. A random-effects meta-analysis of standardized mean change scores was conducted where appropriate.

Some 114 studies met inclusion criteria involving 8045 patients. The meta-analysis revealed an overall reduction of standardized mean change scores by (-0.93 [CI: -1.42; -0.43], p < 0.001) by 14 different dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic classes of agents. No significant differences were identified between direct comparisons. Subgroup analysis comparing dopamine receptor agonists resulted in superior effects of pramipexole and rotigotine compared with ropinirole. There was little cumulative evidence to support the use of individual non-pharmacological interventions for tremor, except for electrical stimulation.

The results of this meta-analysis suggest a large but nonspecific effect of established pharmacological therapies on tremor in iPD. Based on high-quality studies, there is sufficient evidence to support that levodopa, dopamine receptor agonists, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors provide tremor relief in most patients, while evidence supporting other treatments is less well established. Sufficient evidence to draw conclusions on effects of non-lesional treatments in cases with refractory tremor is lacking.