Category: Parkinson’s Disease: Clinical Trials
Objective: To evaluate the effects of addition of tDCS to gait training on gait parameters and motor function in individuals with Parkinson’s disease
Background: Gait impairments are a major hallmark of Parkinson’s disease, contributing to increased fall risk, reduced mobility, and lower quality of life. tDCS, a non-invasive neuromodulation technique, has been proposed as a potential adjunct to gait rehabilitation by modulating cortical excitability and enhancing motor learning. It is hypothesized that stimulation over motor-related brain regions may improve gait performance by facilitating neuroplasticity. However, despite growing interest in tDCS, its efficacy in combination with gait training remains unclear
Method: Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search of electronic databases was conducted up to March 4, 2025. Randomized controlled trials(RCT) comparing tDCS + gait training vs. sham + gait training were included. Primary outcomes assessed were step length (m), cadence (steps/sec), speed (m/sec), Timed Up and Go test (TUG), and the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale Part III (UPDRS-III) post-intervention and at follow-up. Subgroup analysis examined the effects of tDCS timing (during vs. before training)
Results: Nine RCTs involving 223 patients were included. No significant differences were found between groups in step length, cadence, speed, TUG, or UPDRS-III (MD [95% CI]: 0.02 [-0.01, 0.04]; 0.01 [-0.06, 0.08]; 0 [-0.04, 0.04]; -0.4 [-1.63, 0.82]; -0.52 [-1.57, 0.52], respectively). Subgroup analysis by tDCS timing (during vs. before training) showed no significant effects (p > 0.05). No differences were observed at any follow-up period
Conclusion: The addition of tDCS to gait training does not provide significant benefits over gait training alone in PD rehabilitation
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
A. Hegazi, H. Hussein, R. Mohamed. Efficacy of Combined Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and Gait Training on Gait in Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2025; 40 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/efficacy-of-combined-transcranial-direct-current-stimulation-tdcs-and-gait-training-on-gait-in-parkinsons-disease-a-systematic-review-and-meta-analysis-of-randomized-controlled-trials/. Accessed October 5, 2025.« Back to 2025 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/efficacy-of-combined-transcranial-direct-current-stimulation-tdcs-and-gait-training-on-gait-in-parkinsons-disease-a-systematic-review-and-meta-analysis-of-randomized-controlled-trials/