title: Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Combined With Virtual Reality Training on Balance in Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized, Controlled, Double-Blind, Clinical Trial.
abstract: The authors' aim was to investigate the effects of continuous transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with virtual reality training on static and functional balance in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Twenty children with CP (6 girls and 14 boys; M age = 7 years 6 months ± 2 years) were randomly allocated to two groups. The experimental group received active tDCS and the control group received sham stimulation during the 10 sessions of virtual reality mobility training protocols. The children were evaluated on 3 occasions (preintervention, postintervention, and 1-month follow-up). Static balance was evaluated using a force plate under 4 conditions: feet on force plate with (a) eyes open and (b) with eyes closed, and feet on foam mat with (c) eyes open and (d) with eyes closed. Functional balance was evaluated using the Pediatric Balance Scale and the Timed Up and Go Test. The analyses demonstrated statistically significant postintervention and follow-up effects favoring the experimental group over the control group with regard to the Pediatric Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go Test, and area of oscillation of the center of pressure when standing on the force plate with eyes open. The present findings suggest that tDCS can potentiate the effects of virtual reality training on static and functional balance among children with CP.
authors.affiliation: a Master's and Doctoral Programs in Rehabilitation Sciences, Movement Analysis Lab , University Nove de Julho , São Paulo , Brazil.
authors.forename: Roberta Delasta
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Lazzari
authors.affiliation: b Professor, Master's and Doctoral Programmes in Rehabilitation Sciences , University Nove de Julho , São Paulo , Brazil.
authors.forename: Fabiano
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Politti
authors.affiliation: a Master's and Doctoral Programs in Rehabilitation Sciences, Movement Analysis Lab , University Nove de Julho , São Paulo , Brazil.
authors.forename: Stefany Ferreira
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Belina
authors.affiliation: a Master's and Doctoral Programs in Rehabilitation Sciences, Movement Analysis Lab , University Nove de Julho , São Paulo , Brazil.
authors.forename: Luanda André
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Collange Grecco
authors.affiliation: a Master's and Doctoral Programs in Rehabilitation Sciences, Movement Analysis Lab , University Nove de Julho , São Paulo , Brazil.
authors.forename: Cibele Almeida
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: a Master's and Doctoral Programs in Rehabilitation Sciences, Movement Analysis Lab , University Nove de Julho , São Paulo , Brazil.
authors.forename: Arislander Jonathan Lopes
authors.initials: AJL
authors.lastname: Dumont
authors.affiliation: a Master's and Doctoral Programs in Rehabilitation Sciences, Movement Analysis Lab , University Nove de Julho , São Paulo , Brazil.
authors.forename: Jamile Benite Palma
authors.initials: JBP
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.affiliation: c Professor, Instituto Politécnico de Milano, Department of Electronics , Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, "Luigi Divieti" Lab , Milan , Italy.
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cimolin
authors.affiliation: c Professor, Instituto Politécnico de Milano, Department of Electronics , Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, "Luigi Divieti" Lab , Milan , Italy.|d IRCCS "San Raffaele Pisana" , Tosinvest Sanità , Roma , Italy.
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Galli
authors.affiliation: a Master's and Doctoral Programs in Rehabilitation Sciences, Movement Analysis Lab , University Nove de Julho , São Paulo , Brazil.|b Professor, Master's and Doctoral Programmes in Rehabilitation Sciences , University Nove de Julho , São Paulo , Brazil.
authors.forename: Cláudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Santos Oliveira
mesh_terms: D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D065908:Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D000076142:Virtual Reality
keywords: CP; balance; electrical stimulation; functional balance; static balance; tDCS