MedTrace Logo

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Treadmill in Cerebral Palsy

NCT07342660 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 5

Last updated 2026-01-15

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Background: Cerebral Palsy (CP) is characterized by altered excitability in bilateral sensorimotor cortical areas. Previous research using unilateral anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has yielded inconsistent results, highlighting a need for alternative stimulation approaches.

Objective: This study evaluated the feasibility, safety, and preliminary efficacy of combining bilateral anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the sensorimotor cortices with treadmill training in children with CP.

Methods: A within-subjects case series was conducted with five children with CP. Participants received ten sessions of treadmill training (at 50% of their maximum over-ground speed) concurrently with bilateral anodal tDCS. Outcomes, assessed pre- and post-intervention, included postural alignment (medio-lateral and anterior-posterior), ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, gait variability, walking tolerance (6-minute walk test), motor function (GMFM-66), and hip/knee range of motion. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-tests and effect sizes (Hedges' g).

Anticipated Impact: This study will pioneer a novel bilateral tDCS montage for CP rehabilitation. The findings are expected to provide critical insights into the synergistic relationship between neuromodulation and physical training, ultimately informing more effective, evidence-based interventions to enhance motor function and participation in this population.

Conditions

  • Cerebral Palsy (CP)

Interventions

OTHER

transcranial direct current stimulation

The therapeutic protocol commenced with two treadmill familiarization sessions. This was followed by ten combined treatment sessions, each consisting of a 12-minute interval: a 1-minute warm-up, a 10-minute simultaneous treadmill training and tDCS therapy period, and a 1-minute cool-down. Treadmill speed was initiated at 50% of the child's maximum ground speed from the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and was progressively increased based on individual tolerance.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Jordan University of Science and Technology

    collaborator OTHER

  • University of Sharjah

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Hikmat Hadoush · University of Sharjah

Study Design

Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Model
SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age
4 Years
Max Age
12 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2020-07-01
Primary Completion
2025-05-01
Completion
2025-07-01

Countries

  • United Arab Emirates

Study Locations

More Related Trials

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07342660 on ClinicalTrials.gov