Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation to the cerebellum improves handwriting and cyclic drawing kinematics in XXXX .

@entity1 @entity64 @entity14978 @entity9808 @entity20818 @entity9680 @entity3519 @entity717
There is increasing evidence that the cerebellum has a role in the pathophysiology of primary @entity14978 and might provide an intervention target for non-invasive brain stimulation to improve function of the affected hand. The primary objective of this study was to determine if cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) improves handwriting and cyclic drawing kinematics in @entity1 with hand @entity3519 , by reducing cerebellar-brain inhibition (CBI) evoked by @entity9808 ( @entity9808 ). Eight @entity1 with @entity3519 (5 writer's @entity3519 , 3 @entity20818 ) and eight age-matched controls completed the study and underwent cerebellar anodal, cathodal and sham tDCS in separate sessions. @entity3519 severity was assessed using the Writer's Cramp Rating Scale (WRCS) and the Arm @entity717 Scale (ADDS). The kinematic measures that differentiated the groups were; @entity64 frequency during handwriting and fast cyclic drawing and average pen pressure during light cyclic drawing. @entity9808 measures of cortical excitability were no different between @entity1 with @entity9680 and controls. There was a moderate, negative relationship between @entity9808 -evoked CBI at baseline and the WRCS in @entity3519 . Anodal cerebellar tDCS reduced handwriting @entity64 frequency and average pen pressure, and increased speed and reduced pen pressure during fast cyclic drawing. Kinematic measures were not associated with a decrease in CBI within an individual. In conclusion, cerebellar anodal tDCS appeared to improve kinematics of handwriting and circle drawing tasks; but the underlying neurophysiological mechanism remains uncertain. A study in a larger homogeneous population is needed to further investigate the possible therapeutic benefit of cerebellar tDCS in @entity3519 .
