Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation to Improve Motor Function and Motor Fatigue in Parkinson's Patients

What this Trial Is About

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common and rapidly growing neurodegenerative disorder characterized by impaired motor function, including bradykinesia, motor fatigue, and motor fatigability. These symptoms significantly affect the quality of life for people with PD. Researchers are evaluating whether multiple sessions of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (atDCS) applied to the left primary motor cortex (M1) can improve motor function and reduce motor fatigue and fatigability in PD patients. Participants will be assigned to one of two groups: an experimental group receiving 2 milliamps (mA) of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for 20 minutes daily over 5 consecutive days, and a sham group receiving only a brief 30-second stimulation ramp-up with no further stimulation during the 20-minute sessions. Both groups will have electrode placement at the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The study will examine if the treatment effects last up to two weeks following the final session. Throughout the study, participants will undergo multiple assessments including finger and toe tapping tests using the KinesiaOne device at baseline, after the 5-day treatment, and at follow-up visits 7 and 14 days later. Additional evaluations include cognitive testing (MOCA), fatigue questionnaires (Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory), depression scales (CES-D), quality of life assessments (McGill QOL Scale), and motor symptom reports (MDS-UPDRS Part II). These assessments help measure changes in motor function, fatigue, cognition, mood, and quality of life over the study period.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Motor Function and Fatigue in PD