Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Brain Electrical Activity, Heart Rate Variability, and Dual-Task Performance in Healthy and Fibromyalgia Women
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Fibromyalgia
- Sponsor
- University of Extremadura
- Enrollment
- 26
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Degree of change in electroencephalography (EEG) between pre and post tDCS session
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 3 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
People with fibromyalgia could experience physical and cognitive impairment as well as higher dual-task cost than healthy people when two tasks are performed simultaneously. Transcranial direct current stimulation is a promising non-pharmacological therapy. However, there is insufficient evidence about the intensities dose-response. Therefore, this protocol aims to 1) to compare the effectiveness and the impact of two tDCS intensities (1mA and 2mA) on cognitive, motor, brain functions, and cardiac autonomic modulation; 2) to study the impact of tDCS on the dual-task performance and creativity after applying tDCS in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. As hypotheses, a reduction of cognitive-motor interference in dual-task performance and also a modification in neurophysiological parameters, and an improvement in cardiac autonomic modulation are expected. Finally, no different effects are obtained depending on the intensity applied.
Detailed Description
Fibromyalgia is characterized by widespread pain and other associated symptoms, including stiffness, fatigue, non-recovery sleep, anxiety, or depression. On a physical level, people with FM frequently suffer from a sedentary state which reduces cardiovascular fitness and leads to mobility, strength and balance impairments. On a cognitive level, people with FM have often impaired cognitive functions such as memory, attention, processing speed, and executive functions. As a result of all of these symptoms, people with FM have a decreased performance in activities of daily living that are commonly presented as a simultaneous execution of two or more task at the same time (dual-task; DT). To the knowledge of the investigators, no studies have focused on the application of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) to reduce the interference in DT performance. Furthermore, there are no studies that have studied the effects of different intensities of tDCS on DLPFC in people with FM in DT performance. Similarly, there are no studies that have focused on describing how neurophysiological variables may be modified in people with FM during DT performance. Therefore, it seems interesting to know how tDCS can influence these types of variables in order to improve the quality of life of this population and to open new frontiers for research. The hypotheses that are proposed for this study are as follows: a) the application of tDCS will improve physical performance in physical variables that will be measured through balance and strength tasks; b) the application of tDCS will improve performance on neurophysiological variables that will be measured through brain electrical activity and HRV; c) the application of tDCS will improve performance in DT conditions as well as in creativity tasks; d) tDCS will have different effects depending on the variability of fibromyalgia symptoms presented (pain, sleep problems and depression); e) no significant effects on the variables would be expected depending on the type of tDCS intensity applied. At this point, the main objectives of this protocol are: 1) to compare the effectiveness and the impact of two tDCS intensities (1mA and 2mA) on neurophysiological variables, cognitive, and motor functions; 2) to study the impact of tDCS on the dual-task performance and creativity after applying tDCS in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.
Investigators
Narcis Gusi
Full Professor
University of Extremadura
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Be able to communicate with the research staff
- •Have read, understood, and signed the informed consent form
Exclusion Criteria
- •Physiatric or neurological disorders
- •Pharmacological treatment for anxiety or depression
- •Substance abuse or dependence
- •Contraindication for physical effort
- •Difficulty in maintaining balance
- •Leg injury that interferes with flexion and extension of the knee
- •Being pregnant
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Degree of change in electroencephalography (EEG) between pre and post tDCS session
Time Frame: Once before and after each tDCS session
The Enobio instrument (Neuroelectrics) and Neuroelectrics instrument driver software (NIC1) will be used to record EEG. Theta, alpha and beta power spectrums will be extracted from a 5 minute recording.
Degree of change in balance between pre and post tDCS session
Time Frame: Once before and after each tDCS session
The tests will be static position with eyes open and static position with eyes closed. The test will be performed on a Kistler force platform.
Degree of change in strength between pre and post tDCS session
Time Frame: Once before and after each tDCS session
The execution of the test consists of performing a concentric contraction of knee flexion and extension six times consecutively and without pause between repetitions at a speed of 60 /s and in a range of movement from 0 to 90 degrees, being 0 full extension and 90 flexion. The test will be performed on the isokinetic dynamometer Multi-Joint 3, Biodex Medical Sistems.
Degree of change in balance, under dual-task condition, between pre and post tDCS session
Time Frame: Once before and after each tDCS session
Participants will simultaneously perform the balance test (static position with eyes open and static position with eyes closed) and a cognitive task. The cognitive task will consist of two-by-two substractions from a number greater than 100.
Degree of change in heart rate variability (HRV) between pre and post tDCS session
Time Frame: Once before and after each tDCS session
The Enobio instrument (Neuroelectrics) and Neuroelectrics instrument driver software (NIC1) will be used to record HRV. Time domain (SDNN, RMSSD, RR-interval and pNN50), frequency domain (LFnu, HFnu, LF/HF and total power) and non-linear measures (SampEn, SD1 and SD2) will be extracted from a 5 minute recording.
Degree of change in strenght, under dual-task condition, between pre and post tDCS session
Time Frame: Once before and after each tDCS session
Participants will simultaneously perform the strenght test (conducting a concentric contraction of knee flexion and extension six times consecutively and without pause between repetitions at a speed of 60 /s and in a range of movement from 0 to 90 degrees, being 0 full extension and 90 flexion) and a cognitive task. The cognitive task will consist of two-by-two substractions from a number greater than 100.
Secondary Outcomes
- Degree of change in sensations related to tDCS(Once after the tDCS sessions)
- Socio-demographic information(At week 1)
- Impact of the disease(At week 1)
- Health-related quality of life(At week 1)
- Sleep Quality(At week 1)
- Bioelectrical impedance analysis(At week 1)
- Cognitive Impairment(At week 1)
- Physical activity level(At week 1)
- Fear of falling(At week 1)
- Height (meters)(At week 1)