Effects of Cerebellar Transcranial Current Stimulation Associated With Locomotor Training on Functional Mobility of Subjects With Cerebellar Ataxia

Cerebellar ataxia is a neurologic symptom caused by a damage or a dysfunction in cerebellum and results in loss of coordination, balance and postural control. This impairment could result in a reduction of walking speed, short and irregular steps and difficulty in coordinating between lower limbs. Pharmacological interventions are not able to modify ataxia gait pattern, therefore, new approaches to rehabilitate must be studied. Treadmill locomotor training (TLT) and cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (ctDCS) are physical therapy techniques able to module cerebellar afferences and modify positively ataxia gait pattern. However, there is no study involving the association of these two techniques. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of ctDCS associated to TLT on functional mobility in subjects with cerebellar ataxia. A randomized, sham controlled, double blind clinical trial will be performed. The subjects will be randomly allocated into two groups: (i) ctDCS associated with TLT; (ii) ctDCS sham associated with TLT. The TLT will be performed with a speed and step length progression protocol for 25 minutes. The anodal ctDCS (2 mA, 25 minutes) or sham (2mA, 30 seconds) will be applied during TLT. The functional mobility will be the primary outcome and will be evaluated through timed up and go test (TUG). Ataxia' severity, balance and fall risky, will be the secondary outcomes and will be evaluated by the scale for the assessment and rating of ataxia (SARA), balance evaluation system test (miniBest) and TUG, respectively.