Application of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for Gait Function Improvement of Parkinson's Disease Patient

The Effect of Simultaneous Application of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and Gait Training for Parkinson's Disease Patients on Gait Function Improvement

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of simultaneous application of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and treadmill gait training for gait function recovery in Parkinson's disease patients with gait impairment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age: 50 - 75 years
• Modified Hoehn and Yahr stages 1 to 4

Exclusion Criteria:

• Serious cardiac conditions (hospitalization for myocardial infarction or heart surgery within 3 months, history of congestive heart failure, documented serious and unstable cardiac arrhythmias, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, severe aortic stenosis, angina or dyspnea at rest or during activities of daily living)
• Difficult to understand experimental tasks because of extremely severe cognitive impairment (Korean-Mini-Mental State Examination, K-MMSE≤10)
• History of psychiatric disease
• Implanted objects that would contraindicate tDCS