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Combined effect of hydrotherapy and transcranial direct-current stimulation on children with cerebral palsy: A
Xiao-Liang Chen1, Li-Ping Yu2, Ying Zhu1
1Department of Pediatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, China.
Insights
This study investigates the combined use of hydrotherapy and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for children with cerebral palsy (CP). The research aims to determine if this combined therapy improves motor function and balance more than standard treatments.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
- Physical Therapy
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) is a common childhood neurodevelopmental disorder impacting motor control.
- Existing therapies like hydrotherapy and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) show individual benefits for CP.
- There is a need for novel therapeutic strategies to optimize functional outcomes in children with CP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of combining hydrotherapy with tDCS in children diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
- To compare the effectiveness of this combined therapy against standard care for CP patients.
Main Methods:
- A blinded, randomized, controlled superiority trial involving CP patients.
- Participants are assigned to either a treatment group (hydrotherapy + tDCS) or a control group (treatment as usual).
- Both groups receive 30 treatment sessions over 10 weeks, with primary outcomes assessed using the Gross Motor Function Assessment and Pediatric Balance Scale.
Main Results:
- The study is designed to measure differences in Gross Motor Function Assessment and Pediatric Balance Scale scores.
- Secondary outcomes will focus on comparing adverse effects between the treatment and control groups.
- Results will indicate the comparative effectiveness of the combined therapy approach.
Conclusions:
- This trial aims to provide evidence on the effectiveness of combined hydrotherapy and tDCS for cerebral palsy.
- The findings will inform clinical practice regarding integrated therapeutic interventions for CP.
- This research addresses a gap in understanding the synergistic effects of these two modalities in pediatric CP.
Background:
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a brain injury resulting in poor coordination and motor control deficits, which is one of the most common physical disabilities in children. CP brings a heavy burden on families and society and becomes a significant public health issue. In recent years, hydrotherapy, and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) as a physical therapy for CP is developing rapidly. When hydrotherapy and tDCS are used to treat separately, it has positive therapeutic effect in children with CP. The development of new therapies in combination with physical rehabilitation approaches is critical to optimize functional outcomes. tDCS has attracted interest in this context, because of significant functional improvements have been demonstrated in individuals with brain injuries after a short period of cerebral stimulation. Since the onset of this work, tDCS has been used in combination with constraint-induced therapy, virtual reality therapy to potentiate the treatment effect. Up to now, there are no studies on the effect of a combined application of hydrotherapy and tDCS in children with CP. We will conduct a 2-arm parallel clinical trial to investigate the effect of a combined application of tDCS and hydrotherapy.
Methods And Analysis:
This study is an outcome assessor and data analyst-blinded, randomized, controlled superiority trial during the period from October 2021 to December 2023. CP patients meeting the inclusion criteria will be allocated in a 1:1 ratio into the treatment group (hydrotherapy plus tDCS), or the control group (treatment as usual). All participants will receive 30 sessions of treatment over 10 weeks. The primary outcomes will be the difference in the Gross Motor Function Assessment and Pediatric Balance Scale during rest and activity. The secondary outcomes will be the difference in adverse effects between the control and treatment groups.
Conclusions:
This study aims to estimate the efficacy of a combined application of tDCS and hydrotherapy in patients with CP.
Trial Registration:
This study protocol was registered in Chinese ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: ChiCTR2100047946.
