About this Research Topic
A growing body of evidence suggests transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) as a promising complementary therapy for motor and non-motor impairments in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). tDCS is a non-invasive stimulation tool that applies weak electric current through the scalp modulating the cortical and subcortical excitability. Although promising, the benefits seem to vary according to the characteristics of the tDCS protocol (i.e., target area, electrode position, current intensity, number of sessions, and the combination of tDCS or not with cognitive or motor/physical therapy). Thus, identifying which protocol characteristics that may optimize the use of tDCS as a complementary therapy for motor and non-motor symptoms in PD is needed for possible clinical use.
In this research topic collection, we will gather publications identifying some characteristics of the protocol that may improve the benefits and therapeutic efficacy of tDCS for motor and non-motor symptoms in people with PD. It is expected that published papers discuss the efficiency of tDCS on motor and non-motor symptoms considering the tDCS protocol (i.e., target area, electrode position, current intensity, number of sessions, and the combination of tDCS or not with cognitive or motor/physical therapy). Also, the possible mechanisms involved in these tDCS benefits may be understood. Highlighting the effects of tDCS protocol characteristics may allow for a better understanding of its therapeutic potential and inform optimal clinical use in people with PD.
The Research Topic scope will include studies comparing the effects and the mechanism involved in tDCS protocol with different characteristics on motor and non-motor symptoms in people with PD. Studies that identify possible characteristics of the participant that may affect the tDCS responsiveness will also be considered in this Research Topic.
Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:
- comparing the effect of different tDCS current intensity and target areas stimulated (single vs. multitarget)
- the influence of the number of tDCS sessions (single session vs. multiple sessions) on the tDCS benefits
- tDCS alone or combined with another intervention
- influence of the participant characteristics that may affect the tDCS responsiveness
- comparing the different types of transcranial electrical stimulation (tDCS, transcranial alternating current stimulation, transcranial pulsed current stimulation).
The types of manuscripts to be included are as follows, but not limited to:
- Original Research Papers
- Clinical Trial
- Systematic Reviews
- Study Protocols
- Perspectives
- Brief Research Reports
In this research topic collection, we will gather publications identifying some characteristics of the protocol that may improve the benefits and therapeutic efficacy of tDCS for motor and non-motor symptoms in people with PD. It is expected that published papers discuss the efficiency of tDCS on motor and non-motor symptoms considering the tDCS protocol (i.e., target area, electrode position, current intensity, number of sessions, and the combination of tDCS or not with cognitive or motor/physical therapy). Also, the possible mechanisms involved in these tDCS benefits may be understood. Highlighting the effects of tDCS protocol characteristics may allow for a better understanding of its therapeutic potential and inform optimal clinical use in people with PD.
The Research Topic scope will include studies comparing the effects and the mechanism involved in tDCS protocol with different characteristics on motor and non-motor symptoms in people with PD. Studies that identify possible characteristics of the participant that may affect the tDCS responsiveness will also be considered in this Research Topic.
Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:
- comparing the effect of different tDCS current intensity and target areas stimulated (single vs. multitarget)
- the influence of the number of tDCS sessions (single session vs. multiple sessions) on the tDCS benefits
- tDCS alone or combined with another intervention
- influence of the participant characteristics that may affect the tDCS responsiveness
- comparing the different types of transcranial electrical stimulation (tDCS, transcranial alternating current stimulation, transcranial pulsed current stimulation).
The types of manuscripts to be included are as follows, but not limited to:
- Original Research Papers
- Clinical Trial
- Systematic Reviews
- Study Protocols
- Perspectives
- Brief Research Reports
Keywords: Non-invasive brain stimulation, tCDS, Parkinson’s disease, Neurorehabiliation, Neurodegenerative disease, Complementary therapy
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
