Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation of Motor Cortex in Cerebral Palsy: A Study Protocol.

PURPOSE: To assess the best electrode position of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with treadmill training in children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy. METHODS: Thirty children with cerebral palsy were randomly allocated to 3 groups: (1) treadmill training combined with anodal electrode positioned over the primary motor cortex in the region of the dominant hemisphere and the cathode positioned in the supraorbital region contralateral to anode; (2) sham anodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the primary motor cortex and sham cathode over the contralateral supraorbital region combined with treadmill training; (3) treadmill training combined with the anodal electrode positioned over the primary motor cortex in the region of the injured hemisphere and the cathode positioned contralateral to anode over the primary motor cortex. Evaluations of gait, balance, quality of life, and electromyographic activity were performed. DISCUSSION: This is the protocol for an intervention study investigating electrode position to achieve improved function.

Effect of posture-control insoles on function in children with cerebral palsy: randomized controlled clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a posture and movement disorder and different therapeutic modalities, such as the use of braces, have sought to favor selective motor control and muscle coordination in such patients. The aim of the proposed study is to determine the effect of the combination of posture-control insoles and ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) improving functional limitation in children with CP. METHODS/DESIGN: The sample will be composed of 24 children with CP between four and 12 years of age. After the signing of the statement of informed consent, the children will be randomly allocated to two groups: a control group using AFOs alone and an experimental group using both posture-control insoles and AFOs. Evaluations will be performed on five occasions: without any accessory (insoles or AFOs), immediately after, one month after, six months after and one year after AFOs or insole and AFOs use. The evaluation will involve the analysis of gait, static and functional balance, mobility and hypertonia. The three-dimensional assessment of gait will involve the eight-camera SMART-D SMART-D 140® system (BTS Engineering), two Kistler force plates (model 9286BA) and an eight-channel, wireless FREEEMG® electromyography (BTS Engineering). Static balance will be assessed using a Kistler force plate (model 9286BA). Clinical functional balance and mobility will be assessed using the Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up-and-Go Test and Six-Minute Walk Test. The posture-control insoles will be made of ethylene vinyl acetate, with thermal molding for fixation. The fixed orthoses will be made of polypropylene and attached to the ankle region (AFO). The results will be analyzed statistically, with the level significance set to 5% (p < 0.05). TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: RBR6d342s (http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/news/).

Effectiveness of global postural reeducation in the treatment of temporomandibular disorder: case report.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of global postural reeducation in the treatment of temporomandibular disorder through bilateral surface electromyographic (EMG) analysis of the masseter muscle in a 23-year-old volunteer. EMG values for the masseter were collected at rest (baseline) and during a maximal occlusion. There was a change in EMG activity both at rest and during maximal occlusion following the intervention, evidencing neuromuscular rebalancing between both sides after treatment as well as an increase in EMG activity during maximal occlusion, with direct improvement in the recruitment of motor units during contractile activity and a decrease in muscle tension between sides at rest. The improvement in postural patterns of the cervical spine provided an improvement in aspects of the EMG signal of the masseter muscle in this patient. However, a multidisciplinary study is needed in order to determine the effect of different forms of treatment on this condition and compare benefits between interventions. Therefore, this study can provide a direction regarding the application of this technique in patients with temporomandibular disorder.

O uso da ETCC associado ao treino motor de membros inferiores na neurologia: revisão sistemática da literatura / The use of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with lower limb motor training in neurology: A systematic review of the literature

Introdução: A estimulação Transcraniana por corrente contínua (ETCC) é uma técnica neuromodulatória que pode alterar um padrão de excitabilidade mal adaptativo frente á uma lesão neurológica. Seu uso combinado com o treino motor vem sendo amplamente discutido na literatura. Objetivo: realizar uma revisão de estudos que utilizaram a ETCC combinada com treinos físicos de membros inferiores para melhora da marcha, equilíbrio e controle postural de pacientes neurológicos. Método: Foi realizada uma revisão bibliográfica nas bases de dados: Medline, Lilacs, Embase, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, Cochrane databases, Cinahl, Scielo e PubMed.Os artigos utilizados nesta revisão foram pontuados e qualificados através da escala Physiotherapy Evidence Database. Resultados:Foram incluídos no estudo 9 artigos combinando o uso da ETCC a treinos motores de membros inferiores. Conclusão: Os resultados dos estudos mostram que embora ainda não exista uma padronização dos parâmetros ideais de utilização da ETCC, sugerimos que seu uso combinado com treino motor pode potencializar os efeitos funcionais da terapia.

Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a neuromodulatory stimulation technique that can modulate a maladaptive excitation pattern against neurological injury. The combined use of this technique with physical rehabilitation has been widely discussed in the literature. Objective: To conduct a review of studies that employed the tDCS combined with lower limb training to improve gait, balance and postural control in neurological patients. Methods: A bibliographic review was performed in the databases: Medline, Lilacs, Embase, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, Cochrane databases, Cinahl, Scielo and PubMed.Selected articles were scored and qualified based on the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. Results: Nine studies involving the combination of tDCS and lower limb motor training for individuals with neurological problems were included. Conclusion: Despite being widely studied scientifically, no general consensus is yet found in the literature regarding the ideal tDCS administration parameters, we suggest that the combined use with motor training may potentiate the functional effects of therapy.