tDCS application for postural control in Parkinson's disease: Effects are associated with baseline characteristics

Author(s)

Beretta, Victor Spiandor ^[1] ; Orcioli-Silva, Diego ^[1] ; Conceica, Nubia Ribeiro ^[1] ; Nobrega-Sousa, Priscila ^[1] ; Pereira, Sousa a Marcelo Pinto ^[1] ; Gobbi, Lilian Teresa Bucken ^[1] ; Vitorio, Rodrigo ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Sao Paulo State Univ Unesp, Inst Biosci, Grad Program Movement Sci Posture & Gait Studies, Rio Claro - Brazil

^[2] Northumbria Univ, Dept Sport Exercise & Rehabil, Northumberland Bldg Room NB318, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 8ST, Tyne & Wear - England

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PARKINSONISM & RELATED DISORDERS; v. 93, p. 62-65, DEC 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Introduction: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) improves postural response to perturbation in patients with Parkinson's disease (PwPD). However, the influence of baseline characteristics such as clinical/ cognitive and postural performance on the response to tDCS remains unclear. Objective: To investigate whether baseline level of postural control (performance during sham condition) and clinical/cognitive characteristics are associated with tDCS-related changes in postural responses to external perturbations in PwPD. Methods: Twenty-four PwPD participated in this study. Clinical assessment included disease severity, disease duration, levodopa equivalent dose and global cognition. Anodal tDCS protocols targeting the primary motor cortex were applied in two separate sessions (at least 2 weeks apart): active (2 mA for 20 min) and sham stimulation. Seven trials with the backward translation of the support base (20 cm/s and 5 cm) were performed after tDCS. Postural outcomes included the recovery time to stable position and onset latency of the medial gastrocnemius (MG). Pearson and Spearman correlation tests were performed. Results: No significant correlations were observed between clinical/cognitive characteristics and tDCS-related changes in postural responses. Negative associations were observed between the baseline level of postural control and tDCS-related changes in postural responses for the recovery time (r = -0.657; p < 0.001) and the MG onset latency (rs = -0.539; p = 0.007). PwPD with worse baseline postural control demonstrated greater improvement after active stimulation. Conclusions: Findings suggest that tDCS-related effects on postural response to perturbation are related to the baseline level of postural control, but not to clinical characteristics in PwPD. Those with worse baseline postural control responded better to tDCS. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/22308-0 - The effects of Parkinson's disease on electroencephalography recordings during free walking and obstacle crossing
• Grantee: Rodrigo Vitório
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 18/07385-9 - The effect of transcranial direct current stimulation in the postural adjustments under external perturbation in patients with Parkinson's Disease
• Grantee: Victor Spiandor Beretta
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 16/21499-1 - Brain cortical activity during human locomotion: Influence of aging, Parkinson's disease and acute physical exercise
• Grantee: Lilian Teresa Bucken Gobbi
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants