Full Papers
Transcranial direct current stimulation is safe and effective in autoimmune myopathies: a randomised, double-blind, sham-controlled trial
L.F. De Sousa1, R.G. Missé2, L.M. Dos Santos3, C. Tanaka4, J.M. Greve5, A.F. Baptista6, S.K. Shinjo7
- Division of Rheumatology, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil.
- Division of Rheumatology, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil.
- Department of Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil.
- Department of Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, and Laboratory of Investigation in Physical Therapy, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil.
- Laboratory of Movement Studies, Institute of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil.
- Laboratory of Investigation in Physical Therapy, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, and Center for Mathematics, Computing and Cognition, Universidade Federal de ABC, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Division of Rheumatology, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil. samuel.shinjo@usp.br
CER15364
2023 Vol.41, N°2
PI 0221, PF 0229
Full Papers
Free to view
(click on article PDF icon to read the article)
PMID: 35383556 [PubMed]
Received: 23/11/2021
Accepted : 14/02/2022
In Press: 30/03/2022
Published: 01/03/2023
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in patients with systemic autoimmune myopathies (SAMs).
METHODS:
This prospective, randomised, sham-controlled, double-blind, study included 20 patients with SAMs allocated to receive sham or active tDCS (2mA, 20 minutes, 3 days). Electrodes were positioned with the anode over the C1 or C2, whereas the cathode was placed over the Fp2 or Fp1, respectively. The groups were evaluated in four periods with specific questionnaires and functional tests: pre-stimulation and after 30 minutes, three weeks, and eight weeks post-tDCS.
RESULTS:
Two patients from the sham group withdrew after the three sessions. The demographic data, type of myositis, disease duration, and disease status were comparable between the active and sham tDCS groups. After interventions, in the active tDCS group, the physical aspects of SF-36 in week eight, mean and better timed up-and-go test at each evaluation, peak torque of stimulated inferior limb extension improved significantly (p<0.05). The emotional aspect of SF-36 decreased only in the active tDCS group (p<0.001). The patients’ adherence to the protocol was 100% and no serious adverse event was reported, including disease relapses.
CONCLUSIONS:
This study evidences the safety of tDCS, as well as its potential efficacy in improving muscle strength and function in SAMs patients. More studies with a larger sample and longer tDCS sessions are necessary to corroborate the results of the present study.
