Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Postural Control

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Parkinson's disease is a progressive, degenerative neurological disease associated with profound changes in the quality of life of its survivors. Recent evidence has demonstrated the potential use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to modulate cerebral excitability and movement control in neurological chronic conditions. However, few studies have investigated the effects of tDCS on postural control in patients with Parkinson's disease. This study aims to investigate the effect of bihemispheric tDCS on postural control in people with Parkinson's disease. Participants will be randomized to receive a single session of anodal and sham bihemispheric tDCS (7 days between each type of stimulation). Primary clinical outcome (balance) will be collected before and immediately after tDCS. The data will be collected by a blind examiner to the treatment allocation.

Official Title
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Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Postural Control: a Double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

Conditions
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Parkinson Disease

Intervention / Treatment
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* Procedure: Transcranial direct current stimulation


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Medical diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease present for at least 12 months In clinical follow-up and pharmacological treatment by a responsible physician Parkinson's classification of 1.5-3 according to the Hoehn and Yahr scale Signing of the free and informed consent form- Exclusion Criteria: Use any associated orthopedic device to aid gait or balance control Signs of severe dementia (evaluated by the Mini-Mental State Examination - MMSE) Diagnosis of other neurological disorders (including those of central and peripheral nature) Previous treatment with tDCS Medical diagnosis of psychiatric illnesses with the use of centrally acting medications (depressants) The use of pacemakers or other implanted devices.-

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 40 Years
Maximum Age: 70 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Anodal tDCS<br>Bihemispheric tDCS applied over primary motor cortex. Dose: 2mA, 20 minutes | Procedure: Transcranial direct current stimulation<br>* Transcranial direct current stimulation is a noninvasive technique of neuronal modulation that has been used in different chronic neurological conditions, including Parkinson's disease.<br>|
| Sham Comparator: Sham tDCS<br>Bihemispheric tDCS applied over primary motor cortex. Dose: 2mA, 20 minutes (30s ON) | Procedure: Transcranial direct current stimulation<br>* Transcranial direct current stimulation is a noninvasive technique of neuronal modulation that has been used in different chronic neurological conditions, including Parkinson's disease.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change from COP - AP axis | Postural instability will be evaluated using a force plate to record center of pressure displacement (COP) in antero-posterior (AP) axis in centimeters. | Baseline and Post-tDCS (immediately after tDCS) | 
| Change from COP - ML axis | Postural instability will be evaluated using a force plate to record center of pressure displacement (COP) in Mediolateral (ML) axis in centimeters. | Baseline and Post-tDCS (immediately after tDCS) | 
| Change from COP - area | Postural instability will be evaluated using a force plate to record center of pressure displacement (COP) area (cm²). | Baseline and Post-tDCS (immediately after tDCS) |