Category: Parkinson’s Disease: Clinical Trials
Objective: The aim of this randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial was to evaluate whether trans-spinal theta burst magnetic stimulation could improve gait and balance outcomes in patients with PD who had previously undergone DBS.
Background: Background: Axial symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD) remain difficult to treat, even in patients undergoing deep brain stimulation (DBS). Trans-spinal magnetic stimulation (TsMS) has emerged as a potential neuromodulatory approach for gait and balance dysfunction.
Method: In this randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial, patients with PD and DBS were assigned to active or sham trans-spinal theta burst stimulation delivered over five consecutive days. The primary outcome was change in gait performance measured by the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Secondary outcomes included balance (BESTest), freezing of gait measures, UPDRS-III, and quality of life scales.
Results: Thirty-nine patients completed the study (19 active, 20 sham). No significant between-group difference was observed in the primary outcome (TUG, p=0.604)). Improvements were observed in two BESTest subdomains related to anticipatory postural adjustments (p=0.031) and gait stability (p=0.048) immediately after stimulation. These effects were not sustained during follow-up. No major adverse effects were reported.
Conclusion: Trans-spinal theta burst stimulation did not improve overall gait performance in patients with PD and DBS. However, transient improvements in specific balance domains suggest that spinal neuromodulation may influence postural control networks and warrants further investigation.
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To cite this abstract in AMA style:
A. Rocha, J. Simões, S. Santos, R. Carra, J. Oliveira, G. Nunes, C. França, I. Paraguay, S. Casagrande, M. Carvalho, P. Martins, E. Barbosa, R. Cury. Trans-Spinal Theta Burst Stimulation for Axial Symptoms in Parkinson´s Disease with Deep Brain Stimulation A Randomized Clinical Trial [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2026; 41 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/trans-spinal-theta-burst-stimulation-for-axial-symptoms-in-parkinsons-disease-with-deep-brain-stimulation-a-randomized-clinical-trial/. Accessed October 1, 2026.« Back to 2026 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/trans-spinal-theta-burst-stimulation-for-axial-symptoms-in-parkinsons-disease-with-deep-brain-stimulation-a-randomized-clinical-trial/