Background and Objective: Numerous studies have highlighted the possibility of modulating the excitability of cerebellar circuits using transcranial direct current stimulation. The present study investigated whether a single session of cerebellar anodal transcranial direct current stimulation could improve symptoms in patients with ataxia. Methods: Nineteen patients with ataxia underwent a clinical and functional evaluation pre- and post-double-blind, randomized, sham, or anodal transcranial direct current stimulation. Results: There was a significant interaction between treatment and time on the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia, on the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale, on the 9-Hole Peg Test, and on the 8-Meter Walking Time (P<0.001). At the end of the sessions, all performance scores were significantly different in the sham trial, compared to the intervention trial. Conclusions: A single session of anodal cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation can transiently improve symptoms in patients with ataxia and might represent a promising tool for future rehabilitative approaches.
Benussi, A., Koch, G., Cotelli, M., Padovani, A., Borroni, B., Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation in patients with ataxia: A double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled study, <<MOVEMENT DISORDERS>>, 2015; 30 (12): 1701-1705. [doi:10.1002/mds.26356] [http://hdl.handle.net/10807/119974]
Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation in patients with ataxia: A double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled study
Cotelli, Maria;
2015
Abstract
Background and Objective: Numerous studies have highlighted the possibility of modulating the excitability of cerebellar circuits using transcranial direct current stimulation. The present study investigated whether a single session of cerebellar anodal transcranial direct current stimulation could improve symptoms in patients with ataxia. Methods: Nineteen patients with ataxia underwent a clinical and functional evaluation pre- and post-double-blind, randomized, sham, or anodal transcranial direct current stimulation. Results: There was a significant interaction between treatment and time on the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia, on the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale, on the 9-Hole Peg Test, and on the 8-Meter Walking Time (P<0.001). At the end of the sessions, all performance scores were significantly different in the sham trial, compared to the intervention trial. Conclusions: A single session of anodal cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation can transiently improve symptoms in patients with ataxia and might represent a promising tool for future rehabilitative approaches.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.