rTMS Improves Functions in Spinocerebellar Ataxia

Changhua Christian Medical Foundation

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Spinocerebellar Ataxias; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Treatments: Device: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05973019

230425

Details and patient eligibility

About

Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) is a group of inherited brain disorders. SCA often result in poor limb coordination. This study aims to discover the effects of repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on balance & gait in SCA. The hypothesis of this study is that rTMS might improve SCA limb functional performance.

Full description

rTMS has been shown that improves walking speed and balance performance, however, the optimal treatment protocols have not been approved. Past studies used different frequencies 1 Hz, 5 Hz and 10 Hz to improve functional performance. The results might be affected by the types of SCA. In this study, we will focus on the SCA type 3 to assess the effects on high frequency (10 Hz) of rTMS intervention.

Enrollment: 10 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• SCA type 3
• independently walk with/without an assistive device
• SARA greater than 3

Exclusion criteria

• Epilepsy history
• Unstable blood pressure
• Brain Trauma
• Alcoholism, drug abuse, antipsychotics drug use
• Metallic hardware (e.g. - cochlear implants, brain stimulators or electrodes, aneurysm clips) anywhere in head.
• Dementia, depression

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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10 participants in 1 patient group

rTMS with 10 Hz

Experimental group

Description:

6 times/per week for 2 weeks, total 12 times rTMS.

Treatment:

Device: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)