Effect of Transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (TsDCS) combined with other therapies on walking capacity in patients with Neurological disorders: A Systematic Review

Authors

  • Rukhsar Jabbar Centre for Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia (A central University), Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, India
  • Zainab Khan Centre for Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia (A central University), Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, India
  • Ashi Saif Centre for Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia (A central University), Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, India
  • Adila Parveen Assistant Professor, Centre for Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia (A central University), Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15540/nr.8.2.112

Keywords:

Keywords: transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation, non-invasive spinal direct current stimulation, gait, walking, locomotion

Abstract

Introduction: Neuromodulation has been used for walking difficulty as a therapeutic approach and as TsDCS is emerging as novel tool for patients with neurological disorders when combined with transcutaneous direct current stimulation (tDCS) and/or gait training, it seems to have a promising effect therefore; a systematic review may provide a better insight into the efficacy of the results. This systematic review aims to assess the effects of TsDCS when applied in combination with different therapies in neurological disorder patients. Methods: Databases (Pubmed, CENTRAL, and Web of Science) were used for searching studies since inception. With the guidance of reviewers, one author extracted data. Two independent reviewers assessed qualities of the RCTs. Results: 5 studies from an initial yield of 256 studies met the inclusion criteria. TsDCS might improve walking capacity when combined with tDCS and/or gait training in stroke (TsDCS with gait training and tDCS), cerebral palsy (tDCS with gait training), and cerebellar ataxia (TsDCS with tDCS). Conclusion: The result suggests that more studies are needed for concluding the therapeutic potential. Future studies should emphasize standard stimulation protocol and determining its efficacy in other outcome parameters of gait and in patients with different neurological disorders.

Author Biographies

Rukhsar Jabbar, Centre for Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia (A central University), Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, India

MPT Neurology student

Zainab Khan, Centre for Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia (A central University), Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, India

PhD student

Ashi Saif, Centre for Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia (A central University), Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, India

PhD Student

References

Ardolino, G., Bocci, T., Nigro, M., Vergari, M., Di Fonzo, A., Bonato, S., Cogiamanian, F., Cortese, F., Cova, I., Barbieri, S., & Priori, A. (2018). Spinal direct current stimulation (TsDCS) in hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSP): A sham-controlled crossover study. Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 0(0), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1080/10790268.2018.1543926
Awosika, O. O., Sandrini, M., Volochayev, R., Thompson, R. M., Wu, T., Floeter, M. K., Hallett, M., Cohen, L. G., Physiology, C., Section, N., Unit, N. D., Section, M. C., Unit, T., & Medicine, R. (2020). HHS Public Access. 12(3), 628–634. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2019.01.017.Transcutaneous
Benussi, A., Dell’Era, V., Cantoni, V., Bonetta, E., Grasso, R., Manenti, R., Cotelli, M., Padovani, A., & Borroni, B. (2018). Cerebello-spinal tDCS in ataxia A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, crossover trial. Neurology, 91(12), E1090–E1101. https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000006210
Cosentino, G., Brighina, F., Alfonsi, E., & Sandrini, G. (2018). Effects of neuromodulation on gait. In Biosystems and Biorobotics (Vol. 19, pp. 367–397). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72736-3_26
De Paz, R. H., Serrano-Muñoz, D., Pérez-Nombela, S., Bravo-Esteban, E., Avendaño-Coy, J., & Gómez-Soriano, J. (2019). Combining transcranial direct-current stimulation with gait training in patients with neurological disorders: A systematic review. In Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation (Vol. 16, Issue 1, p. 114). BioMed Central Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-019-0591-z
Fregni, F., Grecco, L., Li, S., Michel, S., Castillo-Saavedra, L., Mourdoukoutas, A., & Bikson, M. (2015). Transcutaneous spinal stimulation as a therapeutic strategy for spinal cord injury: state of the art. Journal of Neurorestoratology, 3, 73. https://doi.org/10.2147/JN.S77813
Megía García, A., Serrano-Muñoz, D., Taylor, J., Avendaño-Coy, J., & Gómez-Soriano, J. (2020). Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation and Motor Rehabilitation in Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, 34(1), 3–12. https://doi.org/10.1177/1545968319893298
Picelli, A., Brugnera, A., Filippetti, M., Mattiuz, N., Chemello, E., Modenese, A., Gandolfi, M., Waldner, A., Saltuari, L., & Smania, N. (2019). Effects of two different protocols of cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation combined with transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation on robot-assisted gait training in patients with chronic supratentorial stroke: A single blind, randomi. Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, 37(2), 97–107. https://doi.org/10.3233/RNN-180895
Picelli, A., Chemello, E., Castellazzi, P., Filippetti, M., Brugnera, A., Gandolfi, M., Waldner, A., Saltuari, L., & Smania, N. (2018). Combined effects of cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation and transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation on robot-assisted gait training in patients with chronic brain stroke: A pilot, single blind, randomized controlled trial. Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, 36(2), 161–171. https://doi.org/10.3233/RNN-170784.
Picelli, A., Chemello, E., Castellazzi, P., Roncari, L., Waldner, A., Saltuari, L., & Smania, N. (2015). Combined effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (TsDCS) on robot-assisted gait training in patients with chronic stroke: A pilot, double blind, randomized controlled trial. Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, 33(3), 357–368. https://doi.org/10.3233/RNN-140474.
Solopova, I. A., Sukhotina, I. A., Zhvansky, D. S., Ikoeva, G. A., Vissarionov, S. V., Baindurashvili, A. G., Edgerton, V. R., Gerasimenko, Y. P., & Moshonkina, T. R. (2017). Effects of spinal cord stimulation on motor functions in children with cerebral palsy. Neuroscience Letters, 639, 192–198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neulet.2017.01.003

Downloads

Published

2021-06-30

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 2 (2021)

Section

Research Papers

License

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
  • Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC-BY) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
  • Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
  • Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).