Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Versus Virtual Reality on Gait in Children With Spastic Diplegia

Spastic diplegia is the most frequent type of cerebral palsy (CP), and impaired gait is a common sequela of this condition. The investigators compared the effects of two novel research interventions transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and virtual reality (VR) on gait impairments in children with spastic diplegia.Currently, both tDCS and VR require further investigation to determine their clinical effectiveness for children with CP. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare the effects of tDCS and VR training on spatiotemporal and kinetic gait parameters in children with spastic diplegia, as a supplemental intervention to traditional physical therapy.

Inclusion Criteria:diagnosed with diplegic CPthe ages 7-12 years oldminimum spasticity grades of 1 and 1+ according to modified Ashworth ScaleGross motor function classification system (GMFCS) at level I or II.Independent ambulation without any assistance or with minimal assistanceA degree of cognition that allows understanding of the proposed proceduresExclusion Criteria:children who had visual impairments, hearing damage, fixed deformities at lower limbs,History of orthopedic surgeries or injection with botulinum toxin in the previous yearHad metal implants in the skullHistory of epilepsy or other neurological disordersor inability to understand the task.