AIMS: In this randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial, we explored whether high-intensity transcranial alternating current stimulation (Hi-tACS), as an add-on to multidisciplinary intensive rehabilitation therapy (MIRT), could yield more durable quality of life (QoL) improvements than MIRT alone. METHODS: Sixty patients with Parkinson's disease (PwP) (Hoehn and Yahr stages 1-3, aged 45-70) were assigned (1:1) to receive 10 days of MIRT with either twice-daily Hi-tACS (15 mA, 77.5 Hz, 40 min/session) or sham stimulation. The primary outcome was the longitudinal change in the 39-item Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39) total score from baseline to 4, 12, and 24 weeks after intervention. Secondary outcomes included changes in motor and non-motor symptom scales. Adverse events were monitored throughout the intervention period. RESULTS: < 0.001). In addition, the Hi-tACS+MIRT group exhibited superior improvements in depression and apathy. Adverse events were mild and infrequent, with no serious adverse events reported. CONCLUSIONS: This trial demonstrated that the Hi-tACS add-on to MIRT could maintain long-term improvements in QoL and improve non-motor symptoms for PwP, providing a new strategy for PwP rehabilitation.
Hou et al. (Wed,) studied this question.