Treating Parkinson's disease with high and low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation: a clinical study

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) at high and low frequency for the rigidity and tremors of Parkinson's disease (PD).Methods Sixty-nine patients with PD received rTMS at 5 Hz or 0.5 Hz.The efficacy was assessed using the unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS),motor function tests and motor evoked potentials (MEPs).Results Thirty-two patients with rigidity from PD received 5 Hz rTMS therapy,and their UPDRS total scores decreased significantly.Their motor function test results improved significantly and their MEP relaxed motor thresholds were significantly elevated.Thirtyseven patients with tremors from PD received 0.5 Hz rTMS therapy,and their UPDRS total scores were significantly decreased.Their motor function test results improved significantly and their MEP relaxed motor thresholds were significantly elevated.Conclusion High frequency rTMS may improve the symptoms of patients with PD rigidity and low frequency rTMS may improve the symptoms of patients with PD tremors. Key words: Parkinson's disease; Transcranial magnetic stimulation; Motor evoked potentials