Feasibility of a combined intermittent theta-burst stimulation and video game-based dexterity training in Parkinson's disease.
Manuela Pastore-Wapp, Brigitte C Kaufmann, Thomas Nyffeler and 3 others
PMID 36635679WHAT IT FOUND
Nine people with Parkinson’s disease completed all nine sessions of combined brain stimulation and video-game dexterity training without dropouts or reported adverse events related to the stimulation.
They rated the devices usable and reported high engagement. This pilot did not test whether dexterity improved.
Key findings
01Every participant completed every planned session, and no adverse events related to the stimulation or dropouts were reported.
02The mean System Usability Scale score was 80, indicating very good usability.
03Participants reported a mean flow score of 44.89, and flow scores were related to usability scores.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
Only nine participants were studied, so this cannot show how feasible the programme is for a wider group. The study did not test whether dexterity or dexterity-related daily activities improved. All participants had mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease and relatively intact cognition, so it is unclear whether the same adherence and usability would occur in more severe disease or greater cognitive impairment. Both groups received the same video game-based dexterity training, so any effect cannot be separated from the stimulation component. The paper does not describe how participants were assigned to real or sham stimulation. The high adherence was measured over only three weeks, so it may not apply to longer programmes.
Declared interests
The supplied text names the Jacques and Gloria Gossweiler foundation as the funder. No further author disclosures are given.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that combined intermittent theta-burst stimulation and video game training improves dexterity in Parkinson’s disease. This study measured only feasibility, adherence, usability and flow, and the authors state that dexterity effects still need to be tested in a randomized controlled trial.