Multiple Sessions of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in People With Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson Disease, Healthy Adult
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Parkinson Disease focused on measuring transcranial direct current stimulation, cerebellum, gait, balance, cognition, fatigue
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
To be eligible to participate in this study, people with PD must meet the following criteria:
- Adult (50-90 yrs) with a positive diagnosis of Parkinson's disease from a movement disorder specialist
- On an unchanged regimen of dopaminergic medication for at least the last 3 months
- Able to independently walk for 6 min
- Without other severe chronic psychiatric or medical conditions
- Not taking any psychoactive medications
To be eligible to participate in this study, the NH subjects must meet the following criteria:
- Adult (50-90 yrs)
- Able to independently walk for 6 min
- Without any severe chronic psychiatric or medical conditions
- Not taking any psychoactive medications
Exclusion Criteria:
An individual from either group who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:
- Pregnant
- Known holes or fissures in the skull
- Metallic objects or implanted devices in the skull/head (e.g., metal plate, deep brain stimulator)
- Current or previous injuries or surgeries that cause unusual gait
- A score less than 24 or 17 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) or telephone-MoCA, respectively
Additional exclusion for PwPD:
- Experience freezing of gait
- A diagnosis of dementia or other neurodegenerative diseases
Additional exclusion for NH subjects:
1. A diagnosis of dementia or any neurodegenerative diseases
Sites / Locations
- University of Iowa
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Arm 4
Experimental
Sham Comparator
Active Comparator
Sham Comparator
PD-ctDCS
PD-sham
NH-ctDCS
NH-sham
People with Parkinson's disease will have both electrodes placed 1-2 cm below and 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 ramped up to 4 mA over the first 30 seconds and stays at 4 mA for the remainder of the stimulation time.
People with Parkinson's disease will have both electrodes placed 1-2 cm below and 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 on (4 mA) for 30 seconds at the beginning and the end of the trial, but it turned to 0 mA in the intervening time.
Neurologically healthy older adults will have both electrodes placed 1-2 cm below and 3 cm to either side of the inion, with the anode assigned to the most PD-affected side and the cathode assigned to the non-dominant side. Stimulation is ramped up to 4 mA over the first 30 seconds and stays at 4 mA for the remainder of the stimulation time.
Neurologically healthy older adults will have both electrodes placed 1-2 cm below and 3 cm to either side of the inion, with the anode assigned to the most PD-affected side and the cathode assigned to the non-dominant side. Stimulation is turned on (4 mA) for 30 seconds at the beginning and the end of the trial, but it turned to 0 mA in the intervening time.