Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Gamified Rehabilitation for Upper Limb Function in Pediatric Brain Damage

"Active Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (a-tDCS) will be applied over the Primary Motor Cortex of the affected or most affected hemisphere during 10 20 minute-sessions at 2 miliamps.~The tDCS stimulator device will be used by an experienced physical therapist by a saline-soak pair of surface electrodes. The anode electrode will be placed over C3 (EEG 10/20 system) and the cathode electrode over the contralateral supraorbital area (Fp2), in order to enhance the excitability of M1.~While the tDCS stimulation is administered, virtual reality upper limb exercises will be conducted. Virtual reality program will continue for another 20 minutes after the tDCS stimulation."

"The electrodes will be placed in the same position as for the Primary Motor Cortex stimulation, as in the experimental group. Current will be applied for 30 seconds in the beginning and at the end for securing the blinding.~While the sham tDCS stimulation is administered virtual reality upper limb exercises will be conducted. Virtual reality program will continue for another 20 minutes after the tDCS stimulation."