Transcranial Pulsed Current Stimulation (tPCS) in Parkinson's Disease: A Pilot Trial

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neurology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Noninvasive stimulation techniques offer a promising therapeutic approach for Parkinson's disease (PD) due to their ease of administration and minimal side effects.
• Investigated the clinical, electrophysiological, and side effect profiles of transcranial pulsed current stimulation (tPCS) in PD patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of tPCS as a potential therapeutic intervention for Parkinson's disease.
• To assess the impact of tPCS on clinical symptoms, motor function, and electrophysiological parameters in PD patients.

Main Methods:

• Ten PD patients underwent monthly assessments in a levodopa-off state.
• Interventions included active tPCS, sham stimulation, and levodopa response assessment over three visits.
• Clinical scores, bradykinesia, gait, tremor, and quantitative electroencephalography (EEG) were analyzed pre- and post-intervention.

Main Results:

• Levodopa demonstrated significant clinical improvement compared to active and sham tPCS.
• Active tPCS showed a non-significant improvement in tremor severity and stride velocity variability compared to sham.
• Significant improvements in reaction time (KINARM) and a transitory increase in EEG alpha bandpower were observed post-tPCS.

Conclusions:

• tPCS was well-tolerated with minimal side effects in PD patients.
• The study suggests tPCS may offer mild improvements in electrophysiological parameters.
• tPCS presents a potential alternative therapeutic option for managing Parkinson's disease.