Abstract
Background and objective: Progression of Parkinson's disease (PD) is frequently characterized by the occurrence of freezing of gait (FOG) representing a disabling motor complication. We aim to investigate safety and efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation of the primary motor cortex of PD patients with FOG. Methods: In this cross-over, double-blind, sham-controlled study, 10 PD patients with FOG persisting in "on" state underwent anodal and sham direct current stimulation for 5 consecutive days. Clinical assessment over a 1-month period was performed. Results: A significant improvement of gait, as assessed by the Stand Walk Sit test, with reduction in number and duration of FOG episodes, along with a significant reduction in the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale score, were observed after anodal stimulation. Beneficial effects were more evident after the entire 5-day stimulation session, and persisted until the end of the observation period. Conclusions: Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation of the motor cortex is safe and has therapeutic potential in PD patients with FOG.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1064-1069 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Movement Disorders |
| Volume | 29 |
| Issue number | 8 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2014 |
Keywords
- Basal ganglia
- Brain stimulation
- Gait disorders
- Motor cortex
- Parkinson's disease
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Neurology
- Neurology
- Medicine(all)