Transcranial Pulse Stimulation Enhances Dexterity in Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND

Ultrasound-based neuromodulation, capable of reaching deep brain areas with high precision, represents cutting-edge technology in non-invasive brain stimulation and is investigated as a novel treatment for neurological and psychiatric disorders, including Parkinson's disease (PD).

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effects of repeated transcranial pulse stimulation (TPS) applications on motor symptoms, brain structure, and functional activation in PD.

METHODS

In this randomized, sham-controlled, double-blind, crossover clinical trial, 30 participants with mild PD underwent six sessions of both verum and sham TPS targeting the sensorimotor network. Comprehensive clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessments were administered at baseline, 1 day, and 1 month post-stimulation for both conditions.

RESULTS

Manual dexterity, measured via the coin rotation task, showed significantly larger improvement following verum compared with sham TPS (post-stimulation vs. baseline: Pcorr = 0.048, ηp2 = 0.14; 1-month post-stimulation vs. baseline: Pcorr = 0.048, ηp2 = 0.17). Gross motor symptoms, evaluated by the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale-Part III (MDS-UPDRS-III), improved similarly after both verum and sham TPS. Functional MRI during a coin rotation task revealed increased activation in the sensorimotor network following verum stimulation compared with sham (P < 0.001). Diffusion tensor imaging data indicated enhanced structural integrity in the primary somatosensory white matter following verum TPS compared with sham (P < 0.05 family-wise error [FWE]-corrected). A total of 21 adverse events were reported, all mild and transient.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that TPS produces behavioral, neurophysiological, and structural effects within the targeted sensorimotor network, and may represent a safe and effective adjunct to standard therapies in PD. © 2026 The Author(s). Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.