In 40 seconds
After three decades of trials, high-frequency rTMS over the primary motor cortex (M1) — and over secondary targets like the supplementary motor area, pre-SMA and cerebellum — shows a small-to-moderate motor benefit in Parkinson's disease (Chou 2015 JAMA Neurology, SMD 0.46; Li 2022, SMD 0.64). The Lefaucheur 2020 European guideline gives Level B (probable efficacy) for HF-rTMS over bilateral M1 for motor impairment and over the left DLPFC for PD-depression. Specific protocols help specific symptoms: SMA 10 Hz for freezing of gait (Mi 2019); pre-SMA 1 Hz for levodopa-induced dyskinesia (Brusa 2020); M1 20 Hz for PD-pain (Choi 2020); parietal 20 Hz for PD-sleep (Ali 2024). The Danish Skogar/Malling transcranial PEMF (T-PEMF) trials — a research-grade lower-intensity device — found modest benefits on sit-to-stand and inter-hand coherence. Consumer PEMF mats sold for home use have no completed sham-controlled human RCT in PD. NICE NG71 (2017) does not list rTMS or PEMF among recommended therapies. NHS England does not commission rTMS for PD. UK clinics cannot legally claim to treat Parkinson's with PEMF.
Quick facts
- Best-supported intervention: HF-rTMS bilateral M1 ± SMA, 8–12 sessions over 2–4 weeks
- European guideline (Lefaucheur 2020): Level B (probable efficacy) for HF-M1 motor and HF-DLPFC depression
- Strongest meta-analysis: Chou 2015 JAMA Neurology — 20 RCTs / n=470 / SMD 0.46
- NICE NG71 (2017): No recommendation for rTMS or PEMF in Parkinson's
- NHS England: rTMS not commissioned for PD (depression only, in selected trusts)
- FDA rTMS clearance: Depression, OCD, smoking cessation, anxious depression, adolescent depression — NOT Parkinson's
- Consumer PEMF mat RCT in PD: None completed
- T-PEMF (Danish research device): Modest sit-to-stand + inter-hand-coherence gains (Skogar 2018, Malling 2019)
- Absolute contraindication: Implanted DBS — affects 100,000+ PD patients globally
The critical distinction: rTMS vs PEMF vs T-PEMF
The PD-and-magnetics conversation suffers from the same conflation as the dementia one. Three different technologies are commonly described as "magnetic therapy" for Parkinson's. They are not interchangeable.
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)
Brief, high-intensity magnetic pulses (around 1–2 Tesla at the coil) delivered by a clinical device under supervision. Stimulates cortical neurons directly. NICE-recognised in the UK for treatment-resistant depression (IPG542, 2015). Not NICE-recognised for Parkinson's. The technology used in every major PD rTMS trial.
Transcranial PEMF (T-PEMF)
A research-grade, lower-intensity device used by the Danish Skogar/Malling groups. 50 Hz, applied via a head device, home-use protocols over weeks. Not the same hardware as consumer mats. Two Danish RCTs (n=97 total) found modest motor benefits. Distinct from rTMS and from consumer PEMF.
Low-intensity consumer PEMF
Weak pulsed magnetic fields (microtesla to a few millitesla) from a mat, ring or pad sold for home wellness use. Field strengths 3–6 orders of magnitude weaker than rTMS. MHRA Class IIa or Class I — not regulated for Parkinson's. No completed sham-controlled human RCT in PD. UK clinics cannot legally claim PD efficacy.
When a sales page says "PEMF helps Parkinson's" and points to "studies," check which of the three was studied. Almost always the cited study used rTMS (clinical) or T-PEMF (research-grade) — not the consumer mat being marketed.
Evidence at a glance — 18 landmark trials
The table below summarises the most-cited primary trials and reviews, ordered by year. Negative trials are included by design.
| Study | Year | Population / n | Design | Intervention | Key result | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pascual-Leone et al. | 1994 | PD / n=6 | Sham-controlled crossover | Subthreshold 5 Hz rTMS, M1 | Improved reaction and movement time vs sham. Foundational PD-rTMS study. | PMID 8190295 |
| Sandyk | 1994 | PD case series | Open-label, picoTesla PEMF | 2 Hz, 7.5 pT external | Reported large symptom gains; methodologically weak, never replicated. | PMID 7928105 |
| Khedr et al. | 2003 | PD / n=36 | RCT, sham-controlled | 5 Hz, suprathreshold M1, 10 days | UPDRS-III improvement sustained ≥1 month. | PMID 12940840 |
| Strafella et al. | 2005 | PD vs healthy controls | PET dopamine displacement | 10 Hz rTMS, M1 | M1 rTMS induces ipsilateral putamen dopamine release — smaller in symptomatic hemisphere of PD. Mechanistic cornerstone. | PMID 16324129 |
| Khedr et al. | 2007 | PD / n=50 | RCT, sham-controlled | 25 Hz or 10 Hz rTMS, M1, 6 days | Both active groups raised serum dopamine and improved UPDRS vs sham. | PMID 17575584 |
| Hamada et al. | 2008 | PD / n=99 | Multicentre RCT, sham-controlled | 5 Hz, SMA, 8 weekly sessions | Durable motor improvement vs sham. SMA validated as target. | PMID 18550622 |
| Benninger et al. | 2011 | PD / n=26 | RCT, sham-controlled | iTBS, M1+DLPFC, 8 sessions / 2 wk | NULL — no superiority of iTBS over sham. Important negative trial. | PMID 21321333 |
| Chou et al. (meta-analysis) | 2015 | PD / 20 RCTs / n=470 | Meta-analysis | — | Overall SMD 0.46 favouring rTMS. HF-M1 most effective. | PMID 25686212 |
| Brys et al. | 2016 | PD / n=50 | 4-arm RCT, sham-controlled | 10 Hz × 10 days: M1 / DLPFC / both / sham | M1 rTMS improved motor function vs sham. DLPFC did NOT outperform sham for mood. | PMID 27708129 |
| Skogar et al. | 2018 | PD / n=97 | RCT, sham-controlled, home T-PEMF | 50 Hz transcranial PEMF, 30 min/day × 8 wk | Sit-to-stand significantly improved with active T-PEMF; effects largest in mild PD. | PLOS ONE |
| Xie et al. (meta-analysis) | 2018 | PD-depression / 9 RCTs | Meta-analysis | HF-rTMS left DLPFC | Significant HDRS / BDI reduction in PD-depression. | PMID 29391800 |
| Malling et al. | 2019 | Sub-cohort of Skogar 2018 | RCT, sham-controlled | 50 Hz T-PEMF, 8 weeks | Reduced inter-hand coherence in unilateral postural tremor. Modest amplitude effect. | PMID 30683143 |
| Mi et al. | 2019 | PD with FOG / n=30 | RCT, sham-controlled (2:1) | 10 Hz SMA, 10 sessions | Reduced FOG-Q and MDS-UPDRS-III; benefits persisted 4 wk post. | PMID 31689588 |
| Choi et al. | 2020 | PD with pain / n=52 | RCT, sham-controlled | 20 Hz M1, 5 sessions | Reduced pain (NRS), UPDRS, BDI vs sham. | PMID 32980772 |
| Brusa et al. | 2020 | PD with LID / n=17 | Crossover RCT | 1 Hz pre-SMA | Reduced dyskinesia severity; prolonged LID onset latency; no loss of levodopa benefit. | Brain Commun |
| Lefaucheur et al. (guideline) | 2020 | Across indications | Expert guideline | n/a | Level B (probable efficacy) for HF-M1 motor and HF-DLPFC for PD-depression. | PMID 31901449 |
| Spagnolo et al. | 2020 | PD / n=60 | 3-arm RCT, sham-controlled | H-coil deep TMS, M1+PFC, 12 sessions | UPDRS-III and tremor subscale improved vs sham. | Front Neurol |
| Li et al. (meta-analysis) | 2022 | PD / 26 RCTs | Meta-analysis | — | SMD 0.64. HF-M1 most effective (SMD 0.79). Bilateral > unilateral. | PMID 35616427 |
| Ali et al. | 2024 | PD with sleep disturbance / n=24 | RCT (2:1) | 20 Hz bilateral parietal, 10 sessions | Improved PDSS, sleep onset, REM latency, BDI, UPDRS. | PMC11201640 |
| Koch et al. | 2024 | PD / small RCT | Accelerated cerebellar rTMS | 10 Hz cerebellar protocol | Improved gait velocity. Cerebellum emerging as a novel target. | PMID 38804539 |
The honest read on this table
Almost every positive trial used clinical rTMS — high-intensity, focal, multi-session, paired with motor or cognitive engagement. The only credible PEMF-specific PD trials are the two Danish T-PEMF studies, which used a research-grade device, not a consumer mat. Benninger 2011 (iTBS null) and the 2025 HF-rTMS LID pilot (null) remind us the field has real negative findings. None of these trials studied the low-intensity consumer PEMF mat marketed in the UK as wellness equipment.
Sub-symptom breakdown — what the evidence says
Tremor
Spagnolo 2020 (n=60, H-coil deep TMS) improved the UPDRS tremor subscale vs sham. Cerebellar rTMS (Koch 2024) is emerging as a novel target for tremor circuits. The Danish T-PEMF trial (Malling 2019) reduced inter-hand coherence in unilateral postural tremor; the effect on tremor amplitude was modest. Consumer PEMF mats have no RCT evidence for tremor reduction. Read the tremor page →
Bradykinesia & rigidity
The strongest-evidence target. HF-rTMS over bilateral M1 with Chou 2015 SMD 0.79 in subgroup analysis. Brys 2016 (n=50) showed M1 rTMS improved UPDRS-III vs sham. Khedr 2003 and 2007 showed motor benefit with bilateral M1 protocols and a measurable dopamine signal. Lefaucheur 2020 Level B (probable efficacy).
Freezing of gait (FOG)
Mi 2019 (n=30): 10 Hz SMA rTMS reduced FOG-Q and MDS-UPDRS-III with benefits persisting 4 weeks post-treatment. A 2025 gait-focused meta-analysis (J Clin Med) identified HF-SMA ≥20 min × 10 sessions as the optimal protocol for gait speed. Cerebellar rTMS is also showing signal (Koch 2024). Read the gait & freezing page →
Levodopa-induced dyskinesia (LID)
Brusa 2020 (n=17, crossover RCT) showed 1 Hz pre-SMA rTMS reduced LID severity and prolonged onset latency without compromising levodopa benefit. A 2025 pilot of high-frequency rTMS for LID was null. Protocol-specific — low-frequency pre-SMA is the supported approach.
Depression in PD
The clearest non-motor signal. Xie 2018 meta-analysis (9 RCTs) found HF-rTMS over the left DLPFC reduced HDRS and BDI in PD-depression. Lefaucheur 2020 gives Level B (probable efficacy). Brys 2016 found DLPFC rTMS did NOT outperform sham at the primary endpoint — protocol design matters. SSRI antidepressants remain first-line. Consumer PEMF has no PD-depression RCT.
Sleep disturbance in PD
Ali 2024 (n=24, RCT 2:1) showed bilateral parietal 20 Hz rTMS improved PDSS scores, sleep-onset latency, REM latency, awake time, BDI and UPDRS. The first PD-specific rTMS sleep RCT. REM-sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) is managed conventionally with melatonin and clonazepam. Read the sleep page →
Pain in PD
Choi 2020 (n=52) showed 20 Hz M1 rTMS over 5 sessions reduced pain NRS, UPDRS, BDI and anxiety in PD with musculoskeletal pain — and not in sham. PEMF for general musculoskeletal pain has acceptable evidence in non-PD populations. For PD-specific pain, M1 rTMS has the strongest signal. Read the pain page →
Newly-diagnosed PD
Early-stage PD raises particular questions about long-term commitment to research interventions. There is no evidence that earlier rTMS produces better outcomes than starting later. Exercise, physiotherapy referral, and medication initiation by a movement-disorders specialist remain the priority. Read the newly-diagnosed page →
Caregiver wellbeing
PD households face cumulative carer load — falls risk, dyskinesia, sleep disruption, mood fluctuation. PEMF has acceptable evidence for chronic pain, stress and sleep in non-PD adults. A carer using a PEMF mat for their own back pain or insomnia is a reasonable wellness choice. This is not treatment for the person with PD. Read the caregiver page →
How magnetic stimulation might affect Parkinson's — proposed mechanisms
| Mechanism | What it means | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| Cortical excitability — M1 | HF-rTMS raises MEP amplitudes. M1 is the highest-evidence PD target. | Chou 2015 |
| SMA — postural adjustments | SMA mediates anticipatory postural adjustments; impaired in FOG. HF-rTMS over SMA improves FOG-Q. | Mi 2019 |
| Pre-SMA — dyskinesia control | 1 Hz pre-SMA inhibits over-active motor planning; reduces LID without losing levodopa benefit. | Brusa 2020 |
| Striatal dopamine release | M1 rTMS releases dopamine in ipsilateral putamen. In PD, the response is smaller in the symptomatic hemisphere — confirming functional loss and residual responsiveness. | Strafella 2005 |
| BDNF / Ca²⁺ / Erk pathway | PEMF (50 Hz, 1 mT) raises intracellular Ca²⁺ via L-type calcium channels and elevates BDNF mRNA. Plausible mechanism; not validated as operative in human PD. | Li 2014 |
| Mitochondrial protection | Metabolomics on dopaminergic-like cells under PEMF exposure shows shifts in mitochondrial pathways. Preclinical only. | PMC10884933 |
| CSF erythropoietin signal | Long-term T-PEMF raised CSF erythropoietin in PD — a putative neurotrophic marker, not a clinical endpoint. | Skogar 2021 |
| Placebo dopamine release | Sham rTMS alone (with expectation of benefit) reduces striatal raclopride binding in PD — placebo-mediated dopamine release confounds open-label PEMF claims. | Strafella 2006 |
The Strafella 2006 placebo finding is critical context. PD is uniquely susceptible to placebo-mediated dopamine release. An open-label testimonial that "PEMF reduced my tremor" can be physiologically real and placebo-driven simultaneously. This is why sham-controlled RCTs matter so much in PD specifically.
UK regulatory position — NICE, MHRA, Parkinson's UK, ASA, NHS England
NICE IPG542 (2015) recommends rTMS for depression with standard clinical-governance arrangements — not for Parkinson's.
MHRA classifies consumer PEMF devices under UK Medical Devices Regulations 2002 (as amended). Most consumer PEMF mats are Class I or Class IIa wellness devices. Class IIa requires an Approved Body assessment but does not equate to clinical efficacy approval for any disease. No consumer PEMF device on the UK market holds MHRA approval for a Parkinson's-disease indication.
Parkinson's UK, the leading UK charity, does not endorse PEMF or rTMS as treatments for Parkinson's and explicitly warns that "some organisations may make claims that aren't backed up by good evidence." The Parkinson's UK forum hosts threads where users describe "mixed results at best" with UK PEMF clinics. parkinsons.org.uk
Advertising Standards Authority. ASA enforces the CAP Code under which Section 12 (Medicines, medical devices, health-related products) restricts efficacy claims to those for which the product holds appropriate licensing. ASA has historically upheld multiple complaints against UK marketers making unsubstantiated medical claims for PEMF. Any UK marketer claiming PEMF treats Parkinson's disease risks ASA action.
NHS England commissions rTMS only for treatment-resistant depression in a small number of trusts (Somerset NHSFT, UCLH, CNTW). It is not commissioned for Parkinson's. UK access for PD is via clinical-trial enrolment or private clinics — which are themselves bound by ASA standards.
FDA (for contrast). FDA-cleared rTMS indications as of 2026 cover Major Depressive Disorder (2008), OCD (2018), smoking cessation (2020), anxious depression (2021), and adolescent depression (2024) — but not Parkinson's disease.
Safety and contraindications specific to Parkinson's
Standard PEMF and rTMS contraindications apply (pacemakers, ICDs, cochlear implants, spinal cord stimulators, insulin pumps, active malignancy without oncologist clearance). Several additional considerations matter specifically in PD.
Deep brain stimulator (DBS) — absolute
Medtronic, Boston Scientific and Abbott all label DBS as a contraindication to TMS. Induced currents can exceed DBS stimulation range and damage the pulse generator. PEMF over the head also contraindicated.
Levodopa-induced dyskinesia timing
rTMS scheduling around medication peaks affects baseline motor state. Trials typically run in a defined ON or OFF state.
Orthostatic hypotension
Autonomic dysfunction in PD can produce drops in blood pressure on getting up. Sit-to-stand from a PEMF mat should be slow with a stable surface to hand.
Falls risk & freezing
Floor-based PEMF mats are a trip hazard. Freezing episodes during transitions over the mat can cause falls.
Polypharmacy & seizure threshold
SSRIs, tramadol and some atypical antipsychotics modestly lower seizure threshold — relevant to clinical rTMS planning.
Capacity to consent in advanced PD
PD dementia and Parkinson's-disease dementia can affect capacity. Mental Capacity Act 2005 best-interests processes apply.
Practical guidance for UK families
- Get the diagnosis under a movement-disorders specialist. Confirm idiopathic PD vs atypical parkinsonism vs drug-induced parkinsonism vs essential tremor — they have different evidence bases.
- Optimise the evidence-based foundation first. Levodopa-based treatment, regular neurologist review, physiotherapy referral, occupational therapy, speech & language therapy. These are the NG71-endorsed interventions.
- Exercise has the strongest non-pharmacological evidence. Aerobic activity, resistance training, and tai chi all have published RCT signal. Start before considering any neuromodulation adjunct.
- If considering clinical rTMS, look for a trial. ClinicalTrials.gov, the UK Dementia Research Institute, and movement-disorders centres in London (King's, UCLH), Cambridge and Manchester recruit periodically.
- For PEMF, be honest about the use case. The strongest household use is the carer's own stress, sleep and pain. PEMF as a treatment for the person with PD is not supported.
- If DBS is in place, document every decision. rTMS is contraindicated. PEMF over the body needs written sign-off. Keep the DBS card visible on every appointment.
- Re-review every 6 months. Koch's cerebellar protocol (2024), Ali's sleep RCT (2024) and several 2025 meta-analyses are recent. What is unsupported in 2026 may shift.
Contraindications — the full screen
Hard exclusions — do not have PEMF or rTMS if any apply:
- Deep brain stimulator (DBS) — absolute, head and body
- Pacemaker, ICD, or any cardiac electronic device
- Cochlear implant or other implanted electronic hearing device
- Spinal cord stimulator, vagus nerve stimulator
- Intrathecal pump or implanted drug pump
- Insulin pump (continuous glucose monitors are usually fine — confirm)
- Active infection at the treatment site
Discuss with the GP or specialist before booking if any apply:
- Active malignancy or recent cancer history — oncologist clearance required
- History of seizures or epilepsy
- SSRIs, tramadol, bupropion, lithium, clozapine — seizure-threshold-lowering medications
- Anticoagulant therapy
- Significant orthostatic hypotension or autonomic dysfunction
- Advanced PD with cognitive impairment affecting capacity to consent
- Recent neurosurgery within the last 14 days
Not contraindications — commonly misunderstood:
- Plates, rods, screws and other passive metal orthopaedic hardware
- Dental implants and dental crowns
- Joint replacements (hip, knee, shoulder)
- Tattoos and piercings (jewellery should be removed for any rTMS session)
Specific to Parkinson's: DBS (absolute), orthostatic hypotension, falls risk during mat-based application, polypharmacy review, capacity-to-consent in advanced PD or PDD.
Frequently asked questions
Can PEMF therapy help Parkinson's tremor?
Clinical rTMS has small-to-moderate evidence for reducing tremor — Spagnolo 2020 H-coil deep TMS and cerebellar rTMS pilots. The Danish T-PEMF trials reduced inter-hand coherence but only modestly affected tremor amplitude. Consumer PEMF mats have no RCT evidence for tremor reduction in PD.
Is rTMS available on the NHS for Parkinson's disease?
No. NHS England commissions rTMS only for treatment-resistant depression in a small number of trusts. rTMS is not commissioned for Parkinson's. NICE NG71 (2017) does not list rTMS or PEMF among recommended therapies.
Does PEMF therapy work for Parkinson's disease?
The strongest evidence is for clinical rTMS, not consumer PEMF. The Chou 2015 JAMA Neurology meta-analysis (20 RCTs, n=470) found SMD 0.46 favouring rTMS for motor symptoms. Lefaucheur 2020 gives Level B (probable efficacy) for HF-rTMS over M1. Consumer PEMF mats have no RCT-quality evidence in PD.
Is magnetic therapy safe with deep brain stimulation (DBS)?
No. rTMS is an absolute contraindication for patients with implanted DBS per Medtronic, Boston Scientific and Abbott labelling. Induced currents can exceed DBS stimulation range and damage the device. PEMF over the head is also contraindicated.
Can you use a PEMF mat if you have a DBS implant?
Not over the head, and not anywhere without explicit clearance from the neurologist managing the DBS. DBS lead wires can act as antennas. The safest answer is: ask the DBS clinic in writing before any use.
Has NICE approved rTMS for Parkinson's?
No. NICE IPG542 (2015) recommends rTMS only for depression. NICE NG71 (2017) on Parkinson's does not list rTMS or PEMF among recommended interventions.
What's the difference between PEMF and rTMS?
rTMS uses brief high-intensity magnetic pulses (1–2 Tesla at the coil) under clinical supervision. PEMF uses low-intensity magnetic fields (microtesla to a few millitesla) from consumer mats. Field strengths differ by 3–6 orders of magnitude.
How much does private rTMS for Parkinson's cost in the UK?
Private rTMS is typically priced for depression at £250–£400 per session, with a course of 20–30 sessions costing £5,000–£12,000. PD-specific protocols are mostly offered only inside trials.
Can PEMF reduce levodopa-induced dyskinesia?
Brusa 2020 (n=17, crossover RCT) showed 1 Hz pre-SMA rTMS reduced LID severity and prolonged onset latency. A 2025 pilot of high-frequency rTMS for LID was null. No consumer PEMF mat evidence exists for LID.
Does rTMS help freezing of gait in Parkinson's?
Mi 2019 (n=30) showed 10 Hz SMA rTMS reduced FOG-Q and MDS-UPDRS-III with benefits persisting 4 weeks. A 2025 gait-focused meta-analysis identified HF-SMA stimulation as optimal for gait speed.
Can PEMF improve sleep in Parkinson's disease?
Ali 2024 (n=24) showed bilateral parietal 20 Hz rTMS improved sleep onset latency, REM latency, awake time and PDSS in PD. Consumer PEMF mat evidence in PD sleep is absent.
Does PEMF help depression in Parkinson's disease?
Lefaucheur 2020 gives Level B for HF-rTMS over the left DLPFC in PD-depression. The Xie 2018 meta (9 RCTs) found significant HDRS/BDI reduction. Brys 2016 found DLPFC rTMS did not outperform sham at the primary endpoint — protocol matters.
Can PEMF slow Parkinson's progression?
No published RCT shows PEMF or rTMS slows neurodegeneration. The Skogar 2021 T-PEMF cohort raised CSF erythropoietin — a putative neurotrophic marker, not a clinical endpoint. Claims of disease-modification go beyond current evidence.
Is rTMS safe for someone in their 70s or 80s with PD?
Age alone is not a contraindication. Published PD rTMS trials enrolled patients with mean ages in their 60s–70s. Specific risks at older age include falls, autonomic instability and polypharmacy. Screen carefully.
Does the Michael J. Fox Foundation endorse PEMF therapy?
No. The Foundation funds and reports on research but maintains neutrality on individual unproven therapies.
Can a PEMF mat cause a fall in someone with Parkinson's?
Yes — under-discussed risk. Floor-based mats are a trip hazard. PD patients may experience orthostatic hypotension getting up, and freezing during transitions can cause falls.
How many rTMS sessions are needed for Parkinson's symptoms?
Trials with positive results typically delivered 8–12 sessions over 2–4 weeks, sometimes with weekly maintenance.
Is transcranial PEMF (T-PEMF) the same as a PEMF mat?
No. T-PEMF is a research-grade Danish device used in the Skogar/Malling RCTs. Consumer PEMF mats sold for home use are not the same hardware.
Are there UK PEMF clinics for Parkinson's?
PEMFiT and a small number of UK wellness clinics offer PEMF sessions. UK private rTMS clinics exist primarily for depression. No UK clinic can legally claim to treat Parkinson's with PEMF or rTMS.
Should a person with PD use a PEMF mat for back pain?
Low-intensity PEMF over the back for musculoskeletal pain has acceptable general evidence and benign safety in the absence of implants. Falls risk and orthostatic hypotension still apply.
Related Parkinson's pages on PEMF UK
Sources
- Chou YH, et al. Effects of rTMS on motor symptoms in Parkinson disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Neurology, 2015. PMID 25686212
- Pascual-Leone A, et al. Akinesia in Parkinson's disease. II. Effects of subthreshold repetitive motor cortex stimulation. Neurology, 1994. PMID 8190295
- Khedr EM, et al. Therapeutic effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on motor function in Parkinson's disease patients. Neurology, 2003. PMID 12940840
- Lefaucheur JP, et al. Evidence-based guidelines on the therapeutic use of rTMS: an update (2014–2018). Clin Neurophysiol, 2020. PMID 31901449
- Li R, et al. Effects of rTMS on motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease: a meta-analysis. Neurorehabil Neural Repair, 2022. PMID 35616427
- Strafella AP, et al. Corticostriatal functional interactions in Parkinson's disease: a rTMS/[11C]raclopride PET study. Eur J Neurosci, 2005. PMID 16324129
- Khedr EM, et al. Dopamine levels after rTMS of motor cortex in Parkinson's disease. Mov Disord, 2007. PMID 17575584
- Skogar Ø, et al. Effect of transcranial PEMF on functional rate of force development in Parkinson's disease. PLOS ONE, 2018. PMID 30252895
- Malling ASB, et al. Eight weeks of T-PEMF on hand tremor and inter-hand coherence in Parkinson's disease. J NeuroEng Rehabil, 2019. PMID 30683143
- Brys M, et al. Multifocal rTMS for motor and mood symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Neurology, 2016. PMID 27708129
- Hamada M, et al. rTMS over the supplementary motor area in Parkinson's disease. Brain, 2008. PMID 18550622
- Mi TM, et al. High-frequency SMA rTMS improves freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease. Parkinsonism Relat Disord, 2019. PMID 31689588
- Brusa L, et al. Low-frequency rTMS of pre-SMA alleviates levodopa-induced dyskinesia. Brain Communications, 2020. DOI 10.1093/braincomms/fcaa147
- Choi YH, et al. HF-rTMS of M1 relieves musculoskeletal pain in Parkinson's disease. Parkinsonism Relat Disord, 2020. PMID 32980772
- Spagnolo F, et al. Bilateral H-coil deep rTMS in Parkinson's disease. Front Neurol, 2020. PMC7930321
- Benninger DH, et al. Intermittent theta-burst TMS for treatment of Parkinson's disease. Neurology, 2011. PMID 21321333
- Ali AM, et al. rTMS for sleep disorders in Parkinson's disease. 2024. PMC11201640
- Koch G, et al. Accelerated cerebellar rTMS improves gait in Parkinson's disease. Neurorehabil Neural Repair, 2024. PMID 38804539
- Xie CL, et al. Effectiveness of HF-rTMS in PD with depression. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat, 2018. PMID 29391800
- Skogar Ø, et al. T-PEMF long-term in PD: cerebrospinal erythropoietin and movement speed. 2021. PMC8081215
- Strafella AP, et al. Placebo effect of sham rTMS on striatal dopamine release in Parkinson's disease. NeuroImage, 2006. PMID 16632381
- NICE. NG71 Parkinson's disease in adults. 2017. nice.org.uk/guidance/ng71
- NICE. IPG542 Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for depression. 2015. nice.org.uk/guidance/ipg542
- Parkinson's UK. Complementary therapies position. parkinsons.org.uk
- Medtronic. Deep Brain Stimulation — Important Safety Information. Medtronic UK
Looking for a PEMF clinic in the UK?
We list every credible PEMF therapy provider in the UK. Please remember: no UK clinic can legally claim to treat Parkinson's with PEMF or rTMS. Ask for the specific claim in writing before paying.