Overview

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether a personalized brain stimulation method called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), combined with walking exercises, is a practical and tolerable approach to help people with Parkinson's disease who experience freezing of gait (FOG). FOG is a disabling symptom where people temporarily feel stuck and unable to start walking, even though they want to move.

The main questions this study aims to answer are:

Can people with Parkinson's disease and FOG tolerate this combined rTMS and walking training procedure?

Can researchers successfully enroll and retain participants for this multi-visit intervention?

Does the combination of rTMS and gait training show early signs of improving gait and reducing freezing episodes?

This study does not include a comparison or placebo group. All participants will receive the same intervention.

Participants will:

Attend up to 15 study visits over about 16 weeks, with the option to combine visits to reduce burden.

Complete brain imaging (MRI) before and after the intervention to guide and evaluate treatment.

Receive a form of brain stimulation (rTMS) using a safe, non-invasive coil placed over a specific part of the brain called the supplementary motor area (SMA). The target is personalized using each person's MRI data.

Participate in walking exercises that include cognitive tasks (dual-task gait training) after each set of brain stimulation sessions.

Undergo assessments of walking ability, Parkinson's disease symptoms, and brain response to stimulation.

Be videotaped during walking tasks to assess gait changes, while wearing small motion sensors on the body.

Complete questionnaires about symptoms, safety, and tolerability.

This study is being conducted at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and includes up to 15 adults between the ages of 50 and 80 who have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and experience FOG.

Although rTMS is already FDA-cleared for depression and other conditions, it has not been approved for freezing of gait, and its use in this study is considered investigational. The stimulation device used has been determined to be non-significant risk (NSR) by the FDA.

The study does not offer direct medical benefit to participants, but results from this trial may help researchers develop future treatments and better understand how brain stimulation affects walking difficulties in Parkinson's disease.

Participation is voluntary, and individuals can withdraw from the study at any time without affecting their medical care

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

1. 50-80 years of age
2. diagnosis of PD based on UK Brain Bank diagnostic criteria 55
3. presence of FOG defined as a score of 1 on part 1 of the nFOGQ in which a video showing different types of freezing is played for the patient, a score of 1 represents a positive response of having experienced such an episode over the last month
4. no dopaminergic medication changes in the month prior
5. observed FOG rated as >1 in item 3.11 of the Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS).

Exclusion Criteria:

1. a history of other significant gait impairment unrelated to PD (e.g. orthopedic deformities)
2. inability to complete gait assessments (timed up and go task) without assistance or assist devices
3. barriers to making contact between the TMS coil and the skin (e.g. braids that cannot be removed)
4. failing to meet all criteria on a standardized MRI/TMS safety screening: This includes, but is not limited to, the presence of claustrophobia, implanted electronic devices (e.g., pacemakers), metallic objects or fragments (e.g., bullets), and non-removable hair clips or piercings.
5. individuals with a diagnosis of psychosis or any other cognitive impairments that would make them unable to understand and follow study instructions or to consent for themselves.
6. pregnancy
7. individuals with a history of seizure