Transcranial direct current stimulation associated with gait training in Parkinson's disease: A pilot randomized clinical trial. (3rd April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Costa-Ribeiro, Adriana; Maux, Ariadne; Bosford, Thamyris; Aoki, Yumi; Castro, Rebeca; Baltar, Adriana; Shirahige, Lívia; Moura Filho, Alberto; Nitsche, Michael A.; Monte-Silva, Kátia
• Is Part Of: Developmental neurorehabilitation. Volume 20:Number 3(2017)
• Page Start: 121
• Page End: 128
• Publication Date: 2017-04-03
• Subjects: Functional mobility -- gait training -- Parkinson's disease -- transcranial direct current stimulation -- visual cues; Children with disabilities -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Developmentally disabled children -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; 615.542
• DOI: 10.3109/17518423.2015.1131755
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-8423

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objective : The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with cueing gait training (CGT) on functional mobility in patients with Parkinson´s disease (PD). Methods : A pilot double-blind controlled, randomized clinical trial was conducted with 22 patients with PD assigned to the experimental (anodal tDCS plus CGT) and control group (sham tDCS plus CGT). The primary outcome (functional mobility) was assessed by 10-m walk test, cadence, stride length, and Timed Up and Go test. Motor impairment, bradykinesia, balance, and quality of life were analyzed as secondary outcomes. Minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) were observed when assessing outcome data. Results : Both groups demonstrated similar gains in all outcome measures, except for the stride length. The number of participants who showed MCID was similar between groups. Conclusion : The CGT provided many benefits to functional mobility, motor impairment, bradykinesia, balance, and quality of life. However, these effect magnitudes were not influenced by stimulation, but tDCS seems to prolong the effects of cueing therapy on functional mobility.