Transcranial direct current stimulation for improving gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy: A systematic review

2020 ◽  
Vol 83 (7) ◽  
pp. 418-431
Author(s):  
Anna Patricia Nicole Diego ◽  
Ada WS Leung

Introduction The functional abilities of children with cerebral palsy are often compromised because of limited motor function. Transcranial direct current stimulation is a neuromodulation tool used as an adjunct to other therapeutic modalities to improve gross motor function. This review aimed to examine the quality of evidence and the effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation for improving gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy. Method A systematic review was conducted, and eligible studies were critically appraised for methodological quality. Randomised controlled trials were selected to undergo meta-analysis for assessing the effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation on clinical outcomes. Results Eight studies, including seven randomised controlled trials, fitted the inclusion criteria. All the randomised controlled trials were rated ‘moderate’ quality based on the grading of recommendations assessment, development and evaluation (GRADE) system. Using meta-analysis, only cadence, an outcome measure of gait variables, demonstrated efficacy of intervention, mean difference 16.57 (10.88, 22.25); I2 = 0%, P = 0.83. Other gross motor and functional outcomes had either inconsistent mean difference or high heterogeneity. Conclusion Overall, the effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation as a treatment in children with cerebral palsy remains unclear, and the findings should be interpreted with caution. The quality of evidence was mostly moderate, and more vigorous research incorporating functional outcomes should be conducted to guide clinical practice.

2020 ◽  
pp. 026921552095434
Author(s):  
Naglaa Abdelhaleem ◽  
Samar Taher ◽  
Menna Mahmoud ◽  
Ahmad Hendawy ◽  
Maged Hamed ◽  
...  

Objective: To evaluate the evidence of using Action Observation Therapy in the rehabilitation of children with Cerebral Palsy. Study design: Systematic review with meta-analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials. Methods: For the purpose of identifying relevant studies, six databases were searched from inception until July 2020. The methodological quality was assessed by Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. The outcomes were classified within the framework of the International Classification of Functioning. A pooled meta-analysis was performed on studies that demonstrated homogeneity. Results: Twelve randomised controlled trials with 307 participants were included with six of them were included in the meta-analysis. Non-significant difference between the groups was demonstrated by meta-analysis. Results of capacity assessed in post treatment and follow up evaluation were (0.06, –0.22 to 0.34, 95% (CI); P = 0.69 and (–0.35, –0.96 to 0.27, 95% (CI); P = 0.27); respectively. Actual performance in post-treatment and follow up were (0.10, –0.22 to 0.48, 95% (CI); P = 0.62) and (0.01, –0.40 to 0.41, 95% (CI); P = 0.97); respectively. Perceived performance evaluated using (ABILHAND-KIDS) were (0.30, –0.28 to 0.89, 95% (CI); P = 0.31) and (0.15, –0.43 to 0.73, 95% (CI); P = 0.61) for post treatment and follow up; respectively. Overall effect on activity domain was (0.08, –0.11 to 0.28, 95% (CI); P = 0.86) immediately and (0.04, –0.33 to 0.26, 95% (CI); P = 0.49) at follow-up; respectively. Conclusion: No evidence of benefit had been found to draw a firm conclusion regarding the effectiveness of action observation therapy in the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy due to limitations in methodological quality and variations between studies.


Medicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 100 (49) ◽  
pp. e27962
Author(s):  
Xiao-Liang Chen ◽  
Li-Ping Yu ◽  
Ying Zhu ◽  
Tie-Yan Wang ◽  
Jing Han ◽  
...  

Neurology ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 88 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Kirton ◽  
Patrick Ciechanski ◽  
Ephrem Zewdie ◽  
John Andersen ◽  
Alberto Nettel-Aguirre ◽  
...  

Objective:To determine whether the addition of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to intensive therapy increases motor function in children with perinatal stroke and hemiparetic cerebral palsy.Methods:This was a randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial. Participants were recruited from a population-based cohort with MRI-classified unilateral perinatal stroke, age of 6 to 18 years, and disabling hemiparesis. All completed a goal-directed, peer-supported, 2-week after-school motor learning camp (32 hours of therapy). Participants were randomized 1:1 to 1 mA cathodal tDCS over the contralesional primary motor cortex (M1) for the initial 20 minutes of daily therapy or sham. Primary subjective (Canadian Occupational Performance Measure [COPM]), objective (Assisting Hand Assessment [AHA]), safety, and secondary outcomes were measured at 1 week and 2 months after intervention. Analysis was by intention to treat.Results:Twenty-four participants were randomized (median age 11.8 ± 2.7 years, range 6.7–17.8). COPM performance and satisfaction scores doubled at 1 week with sustained gains at 2 months (p < 0.001). COPM scores increased more with tDCS compared to sham control (p = 0.004). AHA scores demonstrated only mild increases at both time points with no tDCS effects. Procedures were safe and well tolerated with no decrease in either arm function or serious adverse events.Conclusion:tDCS trials appear feasible and safe in hemiparetic children. Lack of change in objective motor function may reflect underdosing of therapy. Marked gains in subjective function with tDCS warrant further study.ClinicalTrials.gov identifier:NCT02170285.Classification of evidence:This study provides Class II evidence that for children with perinatal stroke and hemiparetic cerebral palsy, the addition of tDCS to moderate-dose motor learning therapy does not significantly improve motor function as measured by the AHA.


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. e024881 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen L Armstrong ◽  
Roslyn N Boyd ◽  
Megan J Kentish ◽  
Christopher P Carty ◽  
Sean A Horan

IntroductionChildren with cerebral palsy (CP) experience declines in gross motor ability as they transition from childhood to adolescence, which can result in the loss of ability to perform sit-to-stand transfers, ambulate or participate in leisure activities such as cycling. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) cycling is a novel technology that may provide opportunities for children with CP to strengthen their lower limbs, improve functional independence and increase physical activity participation. The proposed randomised controlled trial will test the efficacy of a training package of FES cycling, adapted cycling and goal-directed functional training to usual care in children with CP who are susceptible to functional declines.Methods and analysisForty children with CP (20 per group), aged 6–8 years and classified as Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels II–IV will be recruited across South East Queensland. Participants will be randomised to either an immediate intervention group, who will undertake 8 weeks of training, or a waitlist control group. The training group will attend two 1 hour sessions per week with a physiotherapist, consisting of FES cycling and goal-directed, functional exercises and a 1 hour home exercise programme per week, consisting of recreational cycling. Primary outcomes will be the gross motor function measure and Canadian occupational performance measure, and secondary outcomes will include the five times sit-to-stand test, habitual physical activity (accelerometry), power output during cycling and Participation and Environment Measure-Children and Youth. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, postintervention (8 weeks) and 8 weeks following the intervention (retention).Ethics and disseminationEthical approval has been obtained from Griffith University (2018/037) and the Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service (CHQHHS) Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC/17/QRCH/88). Site-specific approval was obtained from CHQHHS research governance (SSA/17/QRCH/145). Results from this trial will be disseminated via publication in relevant peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration numberACTRN12617000644369p.


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