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Is Transcranial Electrical Stimulation (TCES) a Safe Intervention for Children with Cerebral Palsy?

Associate Professor, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Department of Physical Therapy, 100 Penn Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201

Suzan C. Syron, PT

Owner, Pediatric Physical Therapy Services, 11441 Meath Drive, Fairfax, Virginia 22030

Gerald V Smith, Ph.D., PT

Assistant Professor, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Department of Physical Therapy, 100 Penn Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201

We tested the safety of transcranial electrical stimulation (TCES) applied to seven children (age range 2.5 to 7.5 years) with a confirmed diagnosis of cerebral palsy (CP). Adverse responses were assessed by negative changes in the gross motor function mea sure test (GMFM), the popliteal angle, and the occurrence of any undesired systemic responses such as seizure, nausea, vomiting, or sleep disruption. The tests first were given before the commencement of a physical therapy exercise (PTE) program com bined with a home program of TCES. The tests were repeated after 8 weeks of PTE + TCES and once again after an additional 8 weeks of PT + TCES. One of the 8- week periods involved placebo stimulation in a double-blind design. Stimulator am plitude was 0.5 mA of peak current, phase charge was 0.0166 µC, and the averaged RMS current was 249 microamperes. This level was below threshold of sensory nerve excitation, and the child did not perceive the stimulation. Electrodes were placed over the right and left temporal areas of the skull. The stimulation was applied by the par ents for 10 minutes, twice a day, 7 days each week. The total goal GMFM scores were greater after both active and placebo stimulation. The popliteal angle improved irre spective of the stimulation intervention. No adverse systemic responses were reported. These results support the hypothesis that TCES as used in this study is a safe proce dure.

Key Words: Transcranial electrical stimulation • Safety • Cerebral palsy.

Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, Vol. 12, No. 2, 65-71 (1998)
DOI: 10.1177/154596839801200204


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