The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether a type of brain stimulation called transcranial temporal interference stimulation (TIS) of the internal globus pallidus (GPi) can help improve movement symptoms in people with Parkinson's disease. The study will also look at how TIS changes brain activity related to these improvements. The main questions this study aims to answer are: * How much can repeated TIS sessions improve movement symptoms in people with Parkinson's disease? * Can these improvements last for up to two months after the treatment ends? * What changes in brain activity happen along with the improvements? Researchers will compare people who receive active TIS with those who receive sham (placebo-like) stimulation to see whether active TIS leads to better movement outcomes. Participants will: * Receive 10 sessions of active or sham TIS over two weeks * Complete movement assessments during the two-week treatment and again 2, 4, and 8 weeks afterward * Complete brain activity assessments before and after the two-week treatment
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
37
Transcranial temporal interference stimulation (TIS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique that delivers two high-frequency alternating currents through scalp electrodes to generate a low-frequency interference field in deep brain regions. In this study, TIS targets the internal globus pallidus (GPi) to modulate neural activity in people with Parkinson's disease. Participants receive 10 stimulation sessions over two weeks. The sham TIS condition uses the same setup but applies low-frequency currents without generating an interference pattern.
Shanghai University of Sport
Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China
Change From Baseline in the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale-III (MDS-UPDRS III) Score
Change in motor symptoms assessed using the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale-III (MDS-UPDRS III). The total score ranges from 0 to 132, with higher scores indicating more severe motor impairment (worse outcome).
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after 1 and 2 weeks of intervention, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after intervention.
Participants With a ≥5-point Reduction From Baseline in the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale-III (MDS-UPDRS III) Score
A responder was defined as a participant with a reduction of at least 5 points from baseline in the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III (MDS-UPDRS III) total score. Scores range from 0 to 132, with higher scores indicating more severe motor impairment; therefore, a reduction in score indicates improvement.
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after 1 and 2 weeks of intervention, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after intervention.
Change From Baseline in the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale-I (MDS-UPDRS I) Score
Change in non-motor symptoms assessed using the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale-I (MDS-UPDRS I) (Non-Motor Experiences of Daily Living). The total score ranges from 0 to 52, with higher scores indicating more severe non-motor symptoms (worse outcome).
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after 1 and 2 weeks of intervention, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after intervention.
Change From Baseline in the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale-II (MDS-UPDRS II) Score
Change in motor symptoms affecting daily living assessed using the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale-II (MDS-UPDRS II) (Motor Experiences of Daily Living). The total score ranges from 0 to 52, with higher scores indicating more severe motor difficulties in daily living (worse outcome).
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after 1 and 2 weeks of intervention, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after intervention.
Change From Baseline in the Epworth Sleepiness Scale Score
Change in daytime sleepiness assessed using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale . The Epworth Sleepiness Scale is a self-administered questionnaire consisting of 8 items, with total scores ranging from 0 to 24, where higher scores indicate greater daytime sleepiness (worse outcome).
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after 1 and 2 weeks of intervention, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after intervention.
Change From Baseline in the Parkinson's Disease Sleep Scale-2 Score
Change in sleep disturbances assessed using the Parkinson's Disease Sleep Scale-2. The Parkinson's Disease Sleep Scale-2 is a patient-reported questionnaire consisting of 15 items, with total scores ranging from 0 to 60, where higher scores indicate more severe sleep disturbances (worse outcome).
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after 1 and 2 weeks of intervention, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after intervention.
Change From Baseline in the Gait Performance Measures
Changes in gait performance will be assessed using an instrumented gait mat during single-task and dual-task walking conditions. Spatiotemporal gait parameters, including gait speed, step length, stride length, step width, cadence, and gait variability, will be collected during standardized walking trials. Improvements in gait performance are indicated by increased gait speed, longer step and stride length, and reduced gait variability under both single-task and dual-task conditions.
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after 1 and 2 weeks of intervention, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after intervention.
Change From Baseline in the Balance Performance Measures
Changes in balance performance will be assessed using a force platform during standardized standing balance tasks. Center of pressure (COP) parameters, including COP path length, sway area, and sway velocity, will be derived from force platform recordings to quantify postural stability. Improved balance performance is indicated by reduced COP displacement, smaller sway area, and lower sway velocity.
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after 1 and 2 weeks of intervention, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after intervention.
Change From Baseline in the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Measures
Changes in brain structure and/or function will be assessed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI data will be acquired to evaluate intervention-related changes in brain regions associated with motor control. Imaging-derived measures may include structural and functional metrics obtained from standardized MRI protocols.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the intervention
Change From Baseline in the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III-bradykinesia Subscore
Change from baseline in the bradykinesia subscore of the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III (MDS-UPDRS III). The total bradykinesia subscore ranges from 0 to 48, with higher scores indicating more severe bradykinesia.
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after 1 and 2 weeks of intervention, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after intervention.
Change From Baseline in the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III-rigidity Subscore
Change from baseline in the rigidity subscore of the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III (MDS-UPDRS III). The total rigidity subscore ranges from 0 to 20, with higher scores indicating more severe rigidity.
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after 1 and 2 weeks of intervention, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after intervention.
Change From Baseline in the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III-axial Subscore
Change from baseline in the axial signs subscore of the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III (MDS-UPDRS III). The total axial signs subscore ranges from 0 to 20, with higher scores indicating more severe axial motor impairment.
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after 1 and 2 weeks of intervention, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after intervention.
Change From Baseline in the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III-tremor Subscore
Change from baseline in the tremor subscore of the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III (MDS-UPDRS III). The total tremor subscore ranges from 0 to 40, with higher scores indicating more severe tremor.
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after 1 and 2 weeks of intervention, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after intervention.
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