title: Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation in children with ataxic cerebral palsy: A sham-controlled, crossover, pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to analyze the use of anodal tDCS of the cerebellar region combined with treadmill training to improve balance and functional performance in children with ataxic cerebral palsy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single-blind, sham-controlled, crossover, pilot study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rehabilitation center and research motion analysis laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children (N = 6) with ataxic cerebral palsy and balance deficit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Static balance (oscillations of the center of pressure), functional balance (Pediatric Balance Scale) and functional performance (Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory) were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant reductions occurred in oscillations of the center of pressure with eyes closed after active anodal tDCS only. The effects of treadmill training on functional balance and functional performance in mobility were maintained in the active tDCS group only.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These preliminary data support the notion that anodal tDCS of the cerebellar region combined with treadmill training improves balance in children with ataxic cerebral palsy.
authors.affiliation: a Postgraduate in Rehabilitation Sciences , Universidade Nove de Julho , São Paulo , SP , Brazil.|b Pediatric Neurosurgical, Center (CENEPE) , São Paulo , SP , Brazil.|c Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation , Spaulding Neuromodulation Center, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School , Boston , MA , USA.
authors.forename: Luanda André Collange
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Grecco
authors.affiliation: a Postgraduate in Rehabilitation Sciences , Universidade Nove de Julho , São Paulo , SP , Brazil.
authors.forename: Claudia Santos
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: a Postgraduate in Rehabilitation Sciences , Universidade Nove de Julho , São Paulo , SP , Brazil.
authors.forename: Natália de Almeida Carvalho
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.affiliation: d Communication Disorders Department , Federal University of São Paulo , São Paulo , SP , Brazil.
authors.forename: Vânia L C Carvalho
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.affiliation: b Pediatric Neurosurgical, Center (CENEPE) , São Paulo , SP , Brazil.
authors.forename: Nelci
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zanon
authors.affiliation: c Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation , Spaulding Neuromodulation Center, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School , Boston , MA , USA.
authors.forename: Felipe
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fregni
mesh_terms: D001259:Ataxia / Q000628:therapy*; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D065908:Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Ataxic; balance; cerebral palsy; children; transcranial direct current stimulation