Comparative efficacy of gut microbiota-targeted therapies for motor and non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

What was studied

This network meta-analysis compared gut-targeted treatments in Parkinson's disease. These were probiotics, synbiotics and fecal microbiota transplant. The team searched up to April 1, 2026. It used only randomized trials. Bias was rated with RoB 2. Confidence was rated with CINeMA. The trials had 1,156 participants. Treatments were ranked using SUCRA. The aim was to compare them with each other and with placebo.

What they found

Probiotics raised bowel movement rates versus placebo. The mean difference was 1.93. In oral subgroups, probiotics and synbiotics both raised them. No active treatment clearly improved a motor score. Synbiotics and fecal transplant ranked higher. Certainty was moderate for oral probiotics on bowel movements. For motor function and quality of life, it was low to very low.

What it means for patients

The paper says oral probiotics improved bowel movement frequency. They say results on motor function and on quality of life remain uncertain. They say the higher ranks of fecal transplant and synbiotics are exploratory.

Why it is not certain yet

Certainty for motor and quality-of-life results was low. Rankings are exploratory. Larger head-to-head randomized trials are needed. The abstract names no other limits.

Source

Comparative efficacy of gut microbiota-targeted therapies for motor and non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

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