Non-invasive cerebellar stimulation for focal dystonia
Focal Dystonia treated using transcranial direct current stimulation compared to sham stimulation on neurophysioloigcal and functional measures
Lynley Bradnam
16 participants
Mar 20, 2012
Interventional
Conditions
Summary
The purpose of the study is to assess whether noninvasive stimulation of the cerebellum (base of the brain) can improve the symptoms of primary focal dystonia. Dystonia is a movement disorder that may be expressed, in part, due to dysfunction of motor networks in the brain including the cerebellum. There are few treatments currently available. If stimulating this region improves dystonia then it has potential to be used as a therapeutic intervention in the future.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria4
- Over 18 years of age,
- Diagnosis of Primary Focal Dystonia by a neurologist
- No contraindications to TMS or TDCS (head injury, epilepsy, implanted devices, some medications)
- No other neurological or musculoskeletal disorder affecting the dystonic region
Exclusion Criteria4
- Condtraindications to TMS or TDCS
- Musculoskeletal or neurological disorders other than primay focal dystonia affecting the body part
- Secondary Dystonia (eg after stroke or Parkinsons Disease)
- Generalised Dystonia
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Interventions
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (TDCS) is a painless form of non-invasive brain stimulation. It is proposed to work by polarising brain tissue beneath the stimulating electrodes. Usually applied over the motor cortex, TDCS can either increase (anodal) or suppress (cathodal) excitability depending on electrode configuration. In this study, TDCS will be applied over the cerebellum. The current will be applied at 2mA for 20 minutes in three separate sessions, one week apart. The order of the sessions will be randomised. Two sessions will be cathodal, andodal and sham session. The randomisation order and the intervention will be applied by an independent investigator. Investigators who are collecting and analysing data will remaind blinded until the end of the study period.
Locations(1)
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ACTRN12612000339853