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Updated: Feb 13, 2026

A Protocol for the Use of Remotely-Supervised Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation tDCS in Multiple Sclerosis MS
Published on: December 26, 2015
Safety and feasibility of transcranial direct current stimulation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - a pilot study
Sangeetha Madhavan1, Anjali Sivaramakrishnan1,2, Sam Bond3
1a Brain Plasticity Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy , College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois , Chicago , IL , USA.
Introduction:
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been explored as a neuromodulatory tool to prime motor function in several neurological disorders. Studies using tDCS in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are limited. We investigated the safety, feasibility and effects of long-term tDCS in an individual with ALS.
Methods:
A 36-year-old male diagnosed with clinically definite ALS received 12 sessions each of anodal, sham, and cathodal tDCS. Outcome measures included disease progression (revised ALS functional rating scale (ALSFRS-R)), clinical measures of endurance and mobility, and corticomotor excitability.
Results:
No adverse events or change in disease progression were noticed during the study. Small improvement in gait speed (15% increase) was noticed with anodal tDCS only.
Conclusions:
This case study demonstrates the safety and feasibility of long-term facilitatory and inhibitory tDCS on a single participant with ALS. This study serves as a guideline for implementing tDCS in future ALS trials.
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