Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation + Robotic Training

We are doing a set of studies to determine if low-level noninvasive brain stimulation called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can improve how quickly and how well people learn a robotic video game. This study is open to healthy adults, children with CP, and adults with CP. 

We are RECRUITING!

• Does your child have hemiplegic cerebral palsy?
• Is he/she aged between 6 to 17 years?

If you answered yes to both questions, we would like to invite your child to participate in a study examining the effects of robotic training and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on hand function in children with hemiplegia. This study will be performed in 12 sessions over a period of 6 weeks, and your child will be compensated for his/her time.

What

2 sessions per week for a total of 6 weeks (12 sessions total)

Where

Blythedale Children's Hospital, White Plains, NY

Participation Will Involve

• 12 Training Sessions: 20 minutes of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) followed by robotic training (1.5 hours per session).
  About Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
  tDCS is a non-invasive form of brain stimulation which is believed to enhance the effects of motor training on hand function, and has been found to improve recovery of arm function in adults with stroke. During tDCS, a device will provide electrical energy to electrodes placed on the scalp that will provide non-invasive stimulation to the brain. It is a safe technique that has been used with over 200 children.
• 3 Assessment Timepoints (3 hours/assessment): Assessment of hand function, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), and a robot evaluation immediately before training, immediately after training, and 6 months after training (3 hours per assessment).
  About Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
  TMS uses a brief magnetic field over the scalp by using a wand that looks like a figure 8. The wand can make brief magnetic fields over a series of spots on your child's head to activate the brain cells under the wand. Non-invassive TMS pulses will be used in this study, which is considered minimal risk and tolerable to children. Note: if your child has a recurrent history of seizures after two years of age, he/she might not quality.

We are RECRUITING!

• Are you a healthy adult?
• Are you 21 years old or older?

If you answered yes to both questions, we would like to invite you to be part of the healthy control group in a study examining the effects of robotic training and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on hand function in children with hemiplegia. This study will be performed in 4 sessions, and you will be compensated for your time with gift cards.

What 

4 sessions that must be at least 4 days apart

Where

Blythedale Children's Hospital, White Plains, NY

Participation Will Involve

• Coming to our lab at Blythedale for a total of 4 sessions, 3 hours per session. Each session must be at least 4 days apart, and will involve 2 components - Training and Assessment.
• Training Sessions: 20 minutes of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) followed by robotic training (1.5 hours per session).
  About Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
  tDCS is a non-invasive form of brain stimulation which is believed to enhance the effects of motor training on hand function, and has been found to improve recovery of arm function in adults with stroke. During tDCS, a device will provide electrical energy to electrodes placed on the scalp that will provide non-invasive stimulation to the brain. It is a safe technique that has been used with over 200 children.
• Assessment: Robot evaluations and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) immediately before and immediately after training.
  About Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
  TMS uses a brief magnetic field over the scalp by using a wand that looks like a figure 8. The wand can make brief magnetic fields over a series of spots on your head to activate the brain cells under the wand. Non-invassive TMS pulses will be used in this study, which is considered minimal risk and tolerable to children. Note: if you have a recurrent history of seizures, you might not quality.