Virtual reality and anodal transcranial direct current stimulation for the improvement of upper limb motor function in children with Down's Syndrome: a randomized, controlled, double-blind, clinical trial

• Grant number: 16/11156-0
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Effective date (Start): December 01, 2016
• Effective date (End): October 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal researcher: Claudia Santos Oliveira
• Grantee: Jamile Benite Palma Lopes
• Home Institution: Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE). Campus Memorial. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 17/03381-6 - VIRTUAL REALITY AND ANODAL TRANSCRANIAL DIRECT CURRENT STIMULATION FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF UPPER LIMB MOTOR FUNCTION IN CHILDREN WITH DOWN'S SYNDROME: A RANDOMIZED, CONTROLLED, DOUBLE-BLIND, CLINICAL TRIAL, BE.EP.MS

Abstract

Objective: Determine the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with neuromotor virtual reality training of the upper limbs on brain activity and motor control in children with Down's syndrome. Methods: The sample will be defined based on the results of a pilot study involving the same methods as the proposed trial. The children will be randomly allocated to two groups: 1) active anodal tDCS (current intensity: 1 mA) over the primary motor cortex bilaterally with the cathode positioned unilaterally over the deltoid muscle combined with virtual reality training; and 2) sham tDCS with the same electrode positioning combined with virtual reality training. Evaluations were be performed before, immediately after and one month after the proposed training protocols and will involve three-dimensional movement analysis using the SMART-D 140® system (BTS Engineering), electromyography of the paretic upper limb using the EMG FREEEMG® program (BTS Engineering), the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) and the evaluation of brain activity through electroencephalography (BrainNet BNT36). Training will be performed over four consecutive weeks at a frequency of three 20-minute sessions per week. The results will be analyzed statistically, with the level of significance set to 5% (p d 0.05). (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

PALMA LOPES, JAMILE BENITE; CARVALHO DUARTE, NATALIA DE ALMEIDA; LAZZARI, ROBERTA DELASTA; OLIVEIRA, CLAUDIA SANTOS. Virtual reality in the rehabilitation process for individuals with cerebral palsy and Down syndrome: A systematic review. JOURNAL OF BODYWORK AND MOVEMENT THERAPIES, v. 24, n. 4, p. 479-483, OCT 2020. Web of Science Citations: 3.

PALMA LOPES, JAMILE BENITE; FRANCO DE MOURA, RENATA CALHES; LAZZARI, ROBERTA DELASTA; CARVALHO DUARTE, NATALIA DE ALMEIDA; LOPES DUMONT, ARISLANDER JONATHAN; OLIVEIRA, CLAUDIA SANTOS. Evaluation of upper limb movements in children with Down's syndrome: A systematic review. INFANT BEHAVIOR & DEVELOPMENT, v. 51, p. 45-51, MAY 2018. Web of Science Citations: 0.