BackgroundFreezing of gait (FOG) is one of the most disabling gait disturbances in Parkinson’s disease (PD), affecting mobility and balance severely, thereby leading to an increased risk of falls.ObjectivesThe purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation on FOG in PD.MethodsBased on PRISMA guidelines, we searched the databases of MEDLINE (PubMed), Cochrane Library, PEDro, Embase, and Web of Science. Studies of the English language published up to July 2023 were searched. We retrieved for studies of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of transcranial magnetic stimulation to treat FOG after PD and screened by inclusion and exclusion criteria. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool (Revman5.30). Characteristics of RCTs were extracted. The heterogeneity of the trials was measured by I2 statistic. The effect size was expressed by a standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI).ResultsA total of 488 articles were screened, after screening sixteen RCTs involved in 408 patients were included in the qualitative analysis, and 15 RCTs were included in meta-analysis. The outcome measures included FOG-Q, walking time, TUG, and UPDRS. Six studies used FOG-Q as outcome measure, six studies used walking time, four studies used TUG, and six studies used UPDRS. Compared with placebo treatment, transcranial magnetic stimulation has positive significant effects in improving gait status with increased walking speed (SMD = −0.41, 95% CI = −0.75 to −0.06, I2 = 7% p = 0.02), FOG-Q scores (SMD = −0.55, 95% CI = −0.89 to −0.21, I2 = 29%, p = 0.002), UPDRS scores (SMD = −1.08, 95% CI = −1.39 to −0.78, I2 = 49%, P < 0.001) and the time of TUG (SMD = −0.56, 95% CI = −0.88 to −0.23, I2 = 25%, p = 0.02) decreased.ConclusionTranscranial magnetic stimulation could significantly improving gait conditions in PD patients with FOG.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/#recordDetails, CRD42023434286.
Read Full Article (External Site)
Dr. David Lowemann, M.Sc, Ph.D., is a co-founder of the Institute for the Future of Human Potential, where he leads the charge in pioneering Self-Enhancement Science for the Success of Society. With a keen interest in exploring the untapped potential of the human mind, Dr. Lowemann has dedicated his career to pushing the boundaries of human capabilities and understanding.
Armed with a Master of Science degree and a Ph.D. in his field, Dr. Lowemann has consistently been at the forefront of research and innovation, delving into ways to optimize human performance, cognition, and overall well-being. His work at the Institute revolves around a profound commitment to harnessing cutting-edge science and technology to help individuals lead more fulfilling and intelligent lives.
Dr. Lowemann’s influence extends to the educational platform BetterSmarter.me, where he shares his insights, findings, and personal development strategies with a broader audience. His ongoing mission is shaping the way we perceive and leverage the vast capacities of the human mind, offering invaluable contributions to society’s overall success and collective well-being.