Pairing transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation with an intensive bimanual training in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy: study protocol of a randomized sham-controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Gross motor function impairments and manual dexterity deficits are frequently observed in children and adolescents with Cerebral Palsy (CP), having a major impact on their activity level and autonomy. Improving manual dexterity and activity level of patients with CP is often the focus of rehabilitation. Novel and adjuvant treatment methods that could support the standard training also in chronic conditions are a research priority. The transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (tVNS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique, which provides a bottom-up stimulation of subcortical and cortical brain structures, enhancing brain GABA and Noradrenaline levels. This technique may play a pivotal role in brain plasticity, which has not been tested in CP patients before.

Metho

SUBMITTER: Oldrati V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11361968 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature