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A Protocol for the Use of Remotely-Supervised Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation tDCS in Multiple Sclerosis MS
Published on: December 26, 2015
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Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for fatigue in multiple sclerosis.
Roberta Ferrucci1, Maurizio Vergari1, Filippo Cogiamanian1
1Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy.
Neurorehabilitation
|November 29, 2013
Summary
Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) may improve multiple sclerosis (MS) fatigue. This preliminary study found that 65% of MS patients experienced reduced fatigue after five days of tDCS treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) commonly causes debilitating fatigue unresponsive to current treatments.
- Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) modulates cortical excitability but its effect on MS fatigue is unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of anodal tDCS over the motor cortex for reducing fatigue in MS patients.
Main Methods:
- 25 MS patients with fatigue received anodal and sham tDCS over 5 consecutive days.
- Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were assessed pre-treatment, post-treatment, and at 1 and 3 weeks follow-up.
Main Results:
- Anodal tDCS was well-tolerated with no adverse events.
- 65% of patients showed significant fatigue reduction (responders).
- FIS scores improved by ~30% and benefits persisted for at least 3 weeks.
Conclusions:
- Anodal tDCS applied to the motor cortex shows promise for improving fatigue in MS patients.
- Further research is warranted to confirm these preliminary findings.
