Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic S… for Parkinson's (NCT07488026)
Reduce freezing episodes while walking
- Trial ID
- NCT07488026
- Official Title
- Effects of the Stimulation Site of Trans-spinal Magnetic Stimulation Combined With Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Functional Mobility in Individuals With Parkinson's Disease
- Goal
- Reduce freezing episodes while walking
- Phase
- NA
- Status
- RECRUITING
- Sponsor
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Enrollment
- 30 participants
- Conditions
- Parkinson's Disease (PD), Gait Disorders, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Spinal Cord Stimulation
- Interventions
- Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Cervical Trans-spinal Magnetic Stimulation, Thoracic Trans-spinal Magnetic Stimulation
- Registry Record Last Updated
- 2026-03-23 (4 months ago)
- Estimated Commitment
- Lower commitment estimated from the protocol (based on: 10 study visits). This reflects time and procedures only — confirm details with the study coordinator.
Summary For Families
Researchers are testing whether pairing magnetic pulses to the brain with magnetic pulses to the spine can improve walking and other mobility problems in Parkinson's, and whether placing the spinal pulses at the neck or the upper back works better. Participants will receive ten sessions that combine repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, which delivers magnetic pulses to the brain, with trans-spinal magnetic stimulation applied either to the cervical (neck) or thoracic (upper back) spine, and the team will track walking speed, freezing of gait (when the feet feel stuck), overall movement, balance, quality of life, and any side effects. Adults 40 and older with a neurologist-confirmed Parkinson's diagnosis, stable dopamine-related medication for at least three months, moderate disease stage (2.5 to 3 on the modified Hoehn and Yahr scale), and at least one freezing episode per week can join; people with other certain neurological or medical problems, low cognitive scores, prior Parkinson's surgery, a history of seizures, or metal implants in the neck or spine are excluded.
Eligibility at a Glance
Key requirements found in this trial's official criteria, in plain language. Only what the listing states is shown; the study team makes the final call.
- Medication dose: Must be on a stable dose of Parkinson's medication (criteria text: "stable dopaminergic pharmacological treatment for at least three months")
- Thinking test (MoCA): MoCA memory and thinking score of at least 21 (criteria text: "a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score lower than 21 points;")
Do I Likely Qualify? — Self-Check Dimensions
The trial page offers an interactive self-check built from this trial's parsed criteria. It covers these dimensions; anything the criteria don't state clearly is answered "ask the study coordinator", never assumed.
- This trial enrolls people aged 40 or older.
- This trial requires a MoCA thinking-test score of at least 21.
Locations
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
Making Contact: How to Call This Study Site
Who to ask for
Ask for the study coordinator. Some sites call this person the research coordinator. They are the right person for questions about joining a study. If you reach a front desk or a doctor's office scheduler, ask them to connect you with the research team for this study.
What to say
It is fine to read this out loud, word for word:
Hello, my name is ____. I am calling about a Parkinson's study at your site. The study number is NCT07488026. It is the one about "Reduce freezing episodes while walking". Could I speak with the study coordinator about taking part?
If you are calling for a family member, use their name and mention that you help with their care.
What they will ask you
- The year of diagnosis
- Current medications and their doses
- Other health conditions
- Any procedures already done, such as deep brain stimulation (DBS)
- How far you are able to travel for study visits
- Whether a care partner can come to visits with you
What to have ready
- A written list of current medications and doses
- Your neurologist's name and phone number
- The diagnosis date. The year is enough.
- A recent visit summary from the neurologist, if you have one
What to ask them
- How many visits are there, and how long does each visit take? The listing already answers this: You will undergo 10 treatment sessions. Ask the coordinator to confirm it still applies.
- Is travel, parking, or my time reimbursed?
- Is there a placebo group, and what is my chance of being in it? The listing already answers this: There is no placebo group. Everyone receives an active treatment; the study compares one treatment against another. Ask the coordinator to confirm it still applies.
- Would I need to stop or pause any of my current medications?
- What happens when the study ends? Could I stay on the treatment if it helps?
What to expect
- Expect to wait a few days for a callback. A week is common. Calling or emailing again after that is fine and normal.
- Many callers do not end up joining. Screening out is common and is not a judgment about you or your health.
- Asking questions commits you to nothing. You can stop the process at any point.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is this trial testing?
- This trial is studying Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. Researchers are testing whether pairing magnetic pulses to the brain with magnetic pulses to the spine can improve walking and other mobility problems in Parkinson's, and whether placing the spinal pulses at the neck or the upper back works better. Participants will receive ten sessions that combine repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, which delivers magnetic pulses to the brain, with trans-spinal magnetic stimulation applied either to the cervical (neck) or thoracic (upper back) spine, and the team will track walking speed, freezing of gait (when the feet feel stuck), overall movement, balance, quality of life, and any side effects. Adults 40 and older with a neurologist-confirmed Parkinson's diagnosis, stable dopamine-related medication for at least three months, moderate disease stage (2.5 to 3 on the modified Hoehn and Yahr scale), and at least one freezing episode per week can join; people with other certain neurological or medical problems, low cognitive scores, prior Parkinson's surgery, a history of seizures, or metal implants in the neck or spine are excluded.
- Who can participate?
- Participants must be at least 40 Years.
- Where is this trial located?
- This trial is recruiting at 1 location.
- Does it cost anything to join?
- Being asked to pay to join a trial is a red flag: legitimate trials do not charge a participation fee, and the study treatment and study-specific tests are provided by the trial sponsor. What you might still pay depends on where you live: in the US, routine care you would receive anyway can be billed to you or your insurance; trials in the UK and Canada usually run through public health systems. Travel, parking, and time are real costs, and some trials reimburse them while others do not. Before enrolling, ask the study coordinator to explain in writing what is and is not covered.
- How long does the trial last?
- This trial is estimated to last approximately 10 months.
- Can I leave the trial if I change my mind?
- Yes. You can withdraw from any clinical trial at any time, for any reason, without affecting your standard medical care. Trials are voluntary by law. The team may ask if you are willing to do a brief exit visit so they can collect safety information, but you are not obligated.
- Can my spouse or care partner come with me to visits?
- In most cases yes, and it is often encouraged. Care partners can help with notes, questions, and getting home safely after a long visit. Some study assessments do need to happen one on one, but care partners are usually welcome for the rest of the appointment.
- Will I get a placebo in this trial?
- There is no placebo group. Everyone receives an active treatment; the study compares one treatment against another.
- How many visits does this trial involve?
- You will undergo 10 treatment sessions.