Dataset Information
Home-Based Tele-tDCS in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Feasibility, Safety, and Preliminary Efficacy.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Objective
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with limited treatment options. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) shows promise as a neuromodulatory intervention in various neurological disorders, but its application in ALS, particularly in a remote, home-based format, remains underexplored. This study investigates the feasibility, safety, and preliminary efficacy of remotely supervised tele-tDCS in ALS patients.Methods
This double-blinded pilot study included 14 spinal-onset ALS participants randomized into two groups: the intervention group received 72 tele-tDCS sessions over 24 weeks, and the delayed-start group received 36 sham sessions followed by 36 tele-tDCS sessions. Stimulation was delivered at 2 mA for 20 min 3 times a week. Primary outcomes included feasibility, safety, and disease progression measured by the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R). Adherence and adverse effects were monitored throughout.Results
Ten participants completed the study, with an overall compliance rate of 98.3%. No serious adverse events were reported, and mild side effects, like itching and tingling, were consistent with tDCS literature. The intervention group demonstrated a significantly slower decline in ALSFRS-R scores than the delayed-start group. At 24 weeks, the intervention group had a mean ALSFRS-R change of -1.7, compared to -13.6 in the delayed-start group (p = 0.0018). Additionally, the change in ALSFRS-R between pre- and mid-intervention significantly differed between groups (p = 0.0071).Interpretation
Tele-tDCS was feasible, safe, and well-tolerated in individuals with ALS. Preliminary efficacy results suggest that tele-tDCS may slow disease progression, underscoring the potential of tele-tDCS as a promising home-based neuromodulatory intervention in ALS management.Trial registration
Clinical trial registration: NCT04866771.
SUBMITTER: Madhavan S
PROVIDER: S-EPMC12093353 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Home-Based Tele-tDCS in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Feasibility, Safety, and Preliminary Efficacy.
Annals of clinical and translational neurology 20250324 5
<h4>Objective</h4>Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with limited treatment options. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) shows promise as a neuromodulatory intervention in various neurological disorders, but its application in ALS, particularly in a remote, home-based format, remains underexplored. This study investigates the feasibility, safety, and preliminary efficacy of remotely supervised tele-tDCS in ALS patients.<h4>Methods</h4>This d ...[more]
