Effects of Dual Task Training and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy: A...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Pediatrics
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Spastic cerebral palsy (CP) presents significant challenges in functional mobility and cognitive development.
• Dual task training is a common rehabilitation strategy for individuals with CP.
• Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is an emerging neuromodulatory technique with potential therapeutic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of active versus sham transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) when administered during dual task training in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP).

Main Methods:

• Thirty children diagnosed with spastic CP participated in the study.
• Participants were randomly assigned to receive either active or sham tDCS over the motor cortex for 20 minutes daily over ten sessions.
• Interventions were integrated with a dual task training protocol.
• Assessments included functional performance, intellectual performance, functional mobility, and cortical excitability, conducted pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at a one-month follow-up.

Main Results:

• The group receiving active tDCS alongside dual task training demonstrated significant improvements in functional mobility.
• Enhanced functional and intellectual performance was observed in the active tDCS group.
• These improvements were maintained one month after the completion of the intervention.

Conclusions:

• The combination of active tDCS and dual task training shows promising therapeutic effects for improving functional and cognitive outcomes in children with spastic CP.
• This approach warrants further investigation as a potential intervention for this population.