Motor Learning and tDCS in Parkinson's Disease

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Parkinson Disease

• Registration Number: NCT04787406
• Lead Sponsor: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Brief Summary

The present study sought to examine the efficacy of single session transcranial direct current stimulation applied over the primary motor cortex in people with Parkinson's disease on sequential motor learning performance.

Detailed Description

Parkinson's disease is characterised by deficits of motor control triggered by impaired basal ganglia function, such as bradykinesia and tremor. Beyond the visibly recognisable motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease, the ability to learn a sequence of movements is also compromised and poses a significant barrier to effective rehabilitation. In healthy individuals, transcranial direct current stimulation applied over the primary motor cortex during motor task practice has been shown to significantly improve motor learning compared to placebo conditions. The present study sought to examine the effect of a single session of transcranial direct current stimulation applied over the primary motor cortex in people with Parkinson's disease on sequential motor learning performance. Participants learnt two finger tapping sequences, with task difficulty indexed by sequence length, and task consolidation further examined using a dual-task paradigm. Task related cortical haemodynamic activity was recorded using functional near-infrared spectroscopy.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2019-01-07
• Primary Completion: 2019-09-27
• Study Completion: 2019-09-27
• Status Verified: 2021-02
• Study First Submitted: 2021-03-01
• Study First Submitted QC: 2021-03-05
• Study First Posted: 2021-03-08
• Last Update Submitted: 2021-08-24
• Last Update Posted: 2021-08-26

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 33

Inclusion Criteria

• Right-handed (Edinburgh Handedness Inventory; ≥50)
• Cognitively capable (Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA); ≥23)
• Mild to moderate Parkinson's disease severity (Hoehn and Yar disease stage 2-3)

Exclusion Criteria

• History of stroke
• Comorbidity
• Cephalic implants

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change from baseline shape-counting error	Two assessments: Baseline / pre-intervention, and immediately post-intervention	The percentage of shape counting error during dual task assessments. Sequential finger tapping + visual shape counting task.
Change from baseline sequential finger tapping performance	Two assessments: Baseline / pre-intervention, and immediately post-intervention	A skill index reflecting the accuracy and speed of which participants perform a specified finger tapping sequence.
Change from baseline oxygenated haemoglobin response	Two assessments: Baseline / pre-intervention, and immediately post-intervention	Task related changes of oxygenated haemoglobin as measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; 🇭🇰 Hong Kong, Hung Hom, Hong Kong