Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 27, 2026
Randomized, Triple-Blind, and Parallel-Controlled Trial of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Cognitive Rehabilitation after Stroke
Published on: June 6, 2025
Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Plus Physical Therapy on Gait in Patients With Parkinson Disease:
Pattarapol Yotnuengnit1, Roongroj Bhidayasiri, Rattana Donkhan
1From the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand (PY, RD, KP); Chulalongkorn Center of Excellence for Parkinson's Disease and Related Disorders, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thailand (RB); and Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand (JC).
Objective:
The aim of the study was to study the combined effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and physical therapy on the walking ability of patients with Parkinson disease (PD).
Study Design:
The study used an experimental, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial.
Results:
After intervention, group 1 (only tDCS) demonstrated a significant increase in gait speed by 0.13 to 0.14 m/sec (17.8%-19.2%) and an increase in step length by 5.9 to 6.1 cm (14.0%-14.5%), whereas group 2 (tDCS and physical therapy) revealed a significant increase in gait speed by 0.10 to 0.13 m/sec (14.9%-19.4%) and step length by 4.5 to 5.4 cm (10.6%-12.8%) and group 3 (sham tDCS and physical therapy) showed a significant increase in gait speed by 0.09 to 0.14 m/sec (13.0%-20.3%) and step length by 3.0 to 5.4 cm (6.8%-12.3%). All these results lasted for at least 8 wks after intervention. Upon comparing the parameters of gait among the three groups at every follow-up visit, no significant difference was observed.
Conclusions:
Anodal tDCS or physical therapy could be used alone or together as a combination treatment to improve the walking speed of patients with Parkinson disease. The effects lasted for approximately 8 wks. The combination treatment was not superior to the use of tDCS or physical therapy alone.
