Acute Effects of Capacitive-Resistive Radiofrequency Therapy in People With Parkinson's Disease

This study will investigate the immediate and short-term effects of capacitive-resistive radiofrequency therapy (TECAR) applied to the lower limbs in people with Parkinson's disease. The main aim is to determine which of four different TECAR application protocols produces the greatest improvement in muscle stiffness and walking function. Twenty participants with Parkinson's disease will receive four different TECAR protocols in four separate sessions. The protocols will include capacitive treatment, resistive treatment, and two combinations of capacitive and resistive treatment. Each participant will receive all four protocols, and the order in which they are applied will be randomized. Sessions will be separated by a 7-day washout period. Muscle stiffness will be measured using the MyotonPRO device. Walking and functional mobility will also be assessed using the Timed Up and Go test and the 10-Metre Walk Test. Joint range of motion and lower-limb musculoskeletal pain will also be evaluated. Measurements will be performed immediately before treatment, immediately after treatment, and 48 hours after each session. The study will also record any discomfort or adverse events associated with TECAR therapy to evaluate the safety and tolerability of the different treatment protocols.

Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 55 and 90 years. Clinical diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease confirmed by a Neurology specialist. Hoehn and Yahr stage II or III. Functional walking ability. Clinically relevant lower-limb rigidity in at least one leg, defined as a score ≥2 on item 3.3d (right lower limb) or 3.3e (left lower limb) of Part III of the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS). Stable antiparkinsonian pharmacological treatment during the previous 4 weeks, with no planned changes during the intervention period. Ability to understand and follow simple instructions, defined as a score \>24 on the validated Spanish version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE-MEC). Provision of written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Advanced Parkinson's disease, defined as Hoehn and Yahr stage \>III, with severe postural instability. Other neurological or musculoskeletal conditions that could interfere with the assessment of lower-limb rigidity or gait. Skin lesions, open wounds, or infection in the area where radiofrequency therapy will be applied. Presence of a pacemaker, defibrillator, other implanted electronic device, or another contraindication to TECAR therapy, such as altered thermal sensitivity. Lower-limb surgery within the previous 6 months.