Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) associated with balance training in individuals with Parkinson's: Study protocol for a randomized clinical trial
Raynara Fonseca dos Santos,
Guilherme Peixoto Tinoco Areas,
Fernando Zanela da Silva Areas,
Pedro Porto Alegre Baptista,
Ayrles Silva Gonçalves Barbosa Mendonça,
Renato Campos Freire Junior
Affiliations
Raynara Fonseca dos Santos
Postgraduate Program in Human Movement Sciences, Federal University of Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil
Guilherme Peixoto Tinoco Areas
Postgraduate Program in Human Movement Sciences, Federal University of Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil; Physiology Sciences Laboratory, Federal University of Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil
Fernando Zanela da Silva Areas
Baylor Scott and White Research Institute, Dallas, TX, USA; Baylor Scott and White Institute for Rehabilitation, Dallas, TX, USA; Laboratory of Neurorehabilitation and Neuromodulation, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Vitoria, ES, Brazil
Pedro Porto Alegre Baptista
Postgraduate Program in Human Movement Sciences, Federal University of Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil; Laboratory of Assistive Technology and Movement Analysis (LABTAM), Federal University of Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil
Ayrles Silva Gonçalves Barbosa Mendonça
Postgraduate Program in Human Movement Sciences, Federal University of Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil; Laboratory of Assistive Technology and Movement Analysis (LABTAM), Federal University of Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil
Renato Campos Freire Junior
Postgraduate Program in Human Movement Sciences, Federal University of Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil; Laboratory of Assistive Technology and Movement Analysis (LABTAM), Federal University of Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil; Corresponding author.
The present study aimed to investigate the effects of balance training associated with cerebellar tDCS on postural control in individuals with PD. This is a randomized clinical trial in which individuals were allocated to an experimental group (EG) or placebo group (PG), in which a conventional protocol of 10 Physiotherapy sessions for locomotor training and postural control was applied. In the EG, tDCS was applied, with a current setting of 1.5 mA for 20 min simultaneously with postural control training. In the PG, tDCS was applied in sham mode, with the same electrode positioning and the same number of sessions as the EG. The sample compared 34 individuals with PD (EG: 17; PG: 17).Cerebellar tDCS associated with balance training may help improve postural control and balance in walkers with Parkinson's Disease. The hypothesis is, if walking improve, the benefits may be accompanied by better balance and reduced fear of falling, and individuals may experience greater free-living physical activity at home and in the community.
