Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Improves Balance, Gait for Patients With Parkinson Disease

Patients with Parkinson disease (PD) who received transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with visual training saw improvements to gait, balance, and motor function, according to authors of the study published in Medicina.

“The experimental group that received tDCS combined with visual cueing training showed significant differences in the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale for motor function evaluation, Functional Gait Assessment for balance evaluation and cadence on the GAITRite system test for gait evaluation after 4 weeks of intervention compared to the control group that received sham tDCS combined with visual cueing training,” stated authors of the study.

While several previous studies along with the results of this study show that combining tDCS with other physical training has a positive effect on motor or gait function, evidence supporting the effect of tDCS alone is still insufficient, explained authors.

Researchers also observed a long-term effect through follow-up in all variables showing significant differences. Authors of the study discussed that while there were several limitations, the results are still meaningful in “providing the first evidence that the application of tDCS to SMA has a positive effect on the improvement of motor function, balance and gait ability in PD patients.”

“Therefore, based on the results of this study, it is suggested that tDCS combined with physical training can have more positive effects on the motor function, balance and walking ability of PD patients than applying physical training alone,” concluded authors. “In addition, it is recommended to be widely used in clinical sites as an intervention method for PD patients who need long-term rehabilitation because the duration of the therapeutic effect is extended.”

Reference:
Lee S, Kim MK, The effect of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with visual cueing training on motor function, balance, and gait ability of patients with Parkinson disease. Medicina. 2021; 57(11):1146. doi:10.3390/medicina57111146