Affiliations: Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Center for Prevention and Rehabilitation, Heart Vascular and Stroke Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea | Department of Neurology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea | Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Science and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Note: [] Corresponding author: Yun-Hee Kim, Professor, Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Center for Prevention and Rehabilitation, Heart Vascular and Stroke Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Science and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 50 Irwon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 135-710, Korea. Tel.: +82 2 3410 2824/2818; Fax: +82 2 3410 0388; E-mails: yunkim@skku.edu, yun1225.kim@samsung.com
Abstract: Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the site-specific effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on freezing of gait (FOG) in patients with parkinsonism. Methods: Twenty patients with parkinsonism and FOG were included. A single session of 10 Hz rTMS was applied over three different cortical regions of the dominant hemisphere: the primary motor cortex of the lower leg (M1-LL), the supplementary motor area (SMA), and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). We also performed sham stimulation as a control. The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, Turn Steps and Turn Time in 180° turning, Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) part III, FOG Questionnaire (FOG-Q), and motor evoked potential (MEP) studies were performed before and after each intervention. Results: There were significant improvements in TUG test times after rTMS over the M1-LL and the DLPFC. Improvement was significantly greater after the M1-LL stimulation than sham condition. The M1-LL and DLPFC stimulation also resulted in significant improvements in both the number of Turn Steps and Turn Time. UPDRS-III scores were significantly decreased after the M1-LL and DLPFC stimulation. Conclusions: Use of 10 Hz rTMS on the M1-LL and DLPFC is therapeutically effective for FOG in patients with parkinsonism.
Keywords: Freezing of gait, Parkinsonism, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation
