Cerebral Palsy
Conditions
Brief summary
The goal of this study is to test the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on motor learning and brain plasticity in children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy (USCP).
Interventions
DEVICEactive transcranial direct current stimulation
Participants will receive 20 min of tDCS over the scalp during 20 min of motor training.
BEHAVIORALMotor training
Participants will engage in a high number of repetition of movements that use both hands while playing with toys and games. Training will be provided 20 min/day, for 5 consecutive days.
Sponsors
Boston University Charles River Campus
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
6 Years to 17 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Children between 6-17 years old who have been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, with the following joint mobility: wrist extension 20º, metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints 10º. Ability to cooperate and follow simple directions.
Exclusion criteria
* Seizure beyond age 2, use of anti-seizure medication, history or family history of epilepsy, cranial metal implants, structural brain lesion, devices that may be affected by tDCS or TMS (pacemaker, medication pump, cochlear implant, implanted brain stimulator) * True positive response on the Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and MRI Safety Screen * Current use of medications known to lower the seizure threshold * Previous episode of unprovoked neurocardiogenic syncope * Indwelling metal or incompatible medical devices * Centrally-acting medications including anti-seizure medications * Evidence of scalp disease or skin abnormalities * Current medical illness unrelated to CP * High motor ability in affected arm (i.e. no asymmetry in scores of hand function) * Severe spasticity * Lack of asymmetry in hand function * Orthopedic surgery in affected arm * Botulinum toxin therapy in either upper extremity during last 6 months, or planned during study period * Currently receiving intrathecal baclofen * History of broken arm (either arm) 1 year prior to study enrollment
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Changes in the Assisting Hand Assessment | Day before intervention begins, compared to day after intervention ends (approximately 1 week) | Investigators will measure changes in how well the child uses both hands cooperatively for bimanual activities. |
| Changes in the Box and Blocks test | Day before intervention begins, compared to day after intervention ends (approximately 1 week) | Investigators will measure changes in the movement speed of the hands. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Changes in Motor-evoked Potential assessment | Day before intervention begins, compared to day after intervention ends (approximately 1 week) | Investigators will measure change in measurements of cortical excitability using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) from baseline to follow-up (1 week). |
Contacts
Primary ContactClaudio L Ferre, PhD
Outcome results
None listed