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Cerebellar Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in Patients With Isolated Cervical Dystonia (CD)
Sponsor: Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf
Summary
Cervical dystonia (CD) is a movement disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions of the neck, leading to abnormal head postures and movement, pain and impaired motor function. Current treatments for CD, such as botulinum toxin injections and physical therapy, may not always provide sufficient relief of symptoms and may fail to offer long-term benefits for patients. As a result, new therapeutic approaches are needed. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that modulates neuronal activity. Recent neurophysiological studies suggest that cerebellar tDCS (ctDCS), in particular, could be beneficial in modulating the activity of the sensorimotor network in CD. This clinical trial aims to investigate the effects of ctDCS on the excitability of the sensorimotor network and motor symptom severity in CD patients. Applying transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) we will evaluate the effects of anodal, cathodal and sham ctDCS to improve the understanding of the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying CD and the potential therapeutic role of ctDCS.
Official title: A Randomized, Sham-controlled Study of Cerebellar Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and Its Effects on the Neurophysiological Properties of the Sensorimotor Network and Motor Symptom Severity in Patients With Isolated Cervical Dystonia (CD)
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
20
Start Date
2024-09-15
Completion Date
2025-12-30
Last Updated
2025-06-11
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Anodal and cathodal ctDCS
CtDCS will be delivered using an DC-stimulator and two saline-soaked sponge electrodes: one electrode placed 3 cm lateral to the right of the inion, the other electrode on the right buccinator muscle. A 2 mA current will be delivered through these electrodes for a duration of 20 minutes with a 8-second fade-in and fade-out.
Sham stimulation
The tDCS procedure will be identical to the active (anodal and cathodal) stimulation condition, but stimulation will cease after 30 seconds.
Locations (1)
Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Hamburg, Germany