Effect of transcranial photobiomodulation on gait and postural control in people with Parkinson's disease

• Grant number: 25/02493-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: July 01, 2025
• End date: May 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physical Education
• Principal Investigator: José Angelo Barela
• Grantee: Pedro Paulo Gutierrez
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 24/01132-2 - Multidisciplinary Center for the Development of Assistive Technology (MCDAT), AP.CCD

Abstract

Introduction: Changes in gait and postural control are common impairments in Parkinson's disease (PD). Although pharmacological treatment is the most widely used for the rehabilitation of people with PD, these impairments appear to be poorly responsive to this treatment. Complementary therapies have therefore been the subject of research into the rehabilitation of people with PD. Evidence suggests that transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) may be effective in treating the motor symptoms of PD. However, the results are still inconclusive, especially in relation to dual-tasking and objective measures of these impairments. Objective: To examine the effect of tBMT on gait and postural control with dual-task and objective measures in people with PD. Materials and Methods: 38 participants will be recruited to take part in this study in 21 visits. On the first visit, participants will undergo clinical and cognitive assessments, on the second and last visits they will undergo gait and postural control assessments, and the intervention will take place during the third and twentieth visits. The TBMF will be applied in the PFC and sham/placebo and will be carried out three times a week for six weeks. For the gait assessment, participants will walk on a 26.8 m long circuit at a normal and comfortable pace for two experimental conditions (usual walking and with a dual task). Three trials will be conducted for each condition. For postural control, the participant will be instructed to stand still on a force platform. Nine trials lasting 30 seconds each will be carried out, three in each experimental condition (single and dual task and in unipodal support). ANOVAs two-way will be carried out, with factors group (Intervention vs. Sham) and time (pre vs. post- tPBM). The analyses will be separated by task (without and with dual task).