Cerebellar Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson Disease, Brain Stimulation, Cerebellum
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Parkinson Disease focused on measuring transcranial direct current stimulation, walking, balance
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- 1) Adult (50-90 yrs) with a positive diagnosis of Parkinson's disease from a movement disorder specialist
- 2) an unchanged regimen of dopaminergic medication for at least the last 3 months
- 3) able to independently walk for 6 min
- 4) without other chronic psychiatric or medical conditions
- 5) not taking any psychoactive medications
Exclusion Criteria:
- 1) pregnant
- 2) known holes or fissures in the skull
- 3) metallic objects or implanted devices in the skull (e.g., metal plate, deep brain stimulator)
- 4) current or previous injuries or surgeries that cause unusual gait
- 5) score less than 24 or 17 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment or telephone-Montreal Cognitive Assessment, respectively
- 6) experience freezing of gait
- 7) a diagnosis of dementia or other neurodegenerative diseases
Sites / Locations
- University of Iowa
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Experimental
Sham and Experimental Sessions
50% of participants will have a unilateral cerebellar montage with the anode (active electrode) three cm lateral to the inion on the side ipsilateral to the more PD-affected side and the cathode (return electrode) on the ipsilateral cheek. 50% of participants will have a bilateral cerebellar tDCS will have both electrodes placed 3 cm to either side of the inion, with the anode assigned to the most PD-affected side and the cathode assigned to the less PD-affected side. Stimulation is turned (2 mA) on for the 30 seconds at the beginning and the end of the trial, but it turned to 0 mA in the intervening time. A unilateral cerebellar montage will be applied. tDCS intensity will be 2 mA. Bilateral cerebellar tDCS will be applied. tDCS intensity will be 2 mA. A unilateral cerebellar montage will be applied. tDCS intensity will be 4 mA. Bilateral cerebellar tDCS will be applied. tDCS intensity will be 4 mA.