Objective: We aim to investigate the effects of low-frequency rTMS over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on sleep and other symptoms in PD patients.
Background: Sleep disturbance is a common non-motor symptom of Parkinson’s disease (PD). It seriously affects the life quality of PD patients. Repetitive transcranial stimulation (rTMS) has been used to improve symptoms of PD, yet few studies focused on its application in concurrent sleep disorder in PD.
Method: This was a randomized, double-blind, controlled study. A total of 22 PD patients were enrolled. 11 patients were allocated into active rTMS group and sham rTMS group, respectively. Low frequency (1Hz) rTMS were applied over right DLPFC for 10 consecutive days. Polysomnography (PSG) were used to evaluate objective sleep structure before and after rTMS intervention. Unified Parkinsn’s disease Rating Scale part III (UPDRS III) was used to assess motor symptoms. Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAMA) was used to evaluate emotional symptoms. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to evaluate the sleep quality. Patients were followed up at baseline, after treatment, and 3 months after rTMS treatment.
Results: A total of 20 patients completed the study and no severe adverse effect was noticed. In the active rTMS group, with comparison to baseline assessment, PSQI (11.10±6.42 vs. 8.30±3.53, P=0.042) and UPDRS III（26.00（13.25-31.00）vs. 20.00（8.25-24.00），P=0.024）were significantly lower at completion of treatment. The proportion of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) stage 2 sleep (7.90±7.21 vs. 12.55±8.34，P=0.012) decreased significantly. A tendency of increase was noticed on the proportion of REM sleep. No significant changes were observed in the group with sham rTMS. After 3 months, no significant difference was found in clinical scale evaluation between two groups.
Conclusion: Low frequency rTMS over right DLPFC may improve sleep symptoms, adjust sleep structure and benefit motor symptom improvement in PD patients.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
WU. Jing, C. Jing, Z. Sheng, LIU. Feng. Effects of low frequency repetitive transcranial stimulation over right dorsolateral prefrontal region on clinical symptoms and sleep structure of Parkinson’s disease Abstract [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2021; 36 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/effects-of-low-frequency-repetitive-transcranial-stimulation-over-right-dorsolateral-prefrontal-region-on-clinical-symptoms-and-sleep-structure-of-parkinsons-disease-abstract/. Accessed June 15, 2025.« Back to MDS Virtual Congress 2021
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/effects-of-low-frequency-repetitive-transcranial-stimulation-over-right-dorsolateral-prefrontal-region-on-clinical-symptoms-and-sleep-structure-of-parkinsons-disease-abstract/