Update March 3, 2015 – This study is complete and is no longer recruiting participants.
The Children’s Hemiplegia and Stroke Association (CHASA) is assisting researchers in the Physical Therapy Department at the University of Minnesota with recruitment of participants for a non-invasive brain stimulation research study. The purpose of this study is to investigate the use of a form of non-invasive brain stimulation, transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), for interventions in rehabilitation for children who have hemiparesis (weakness on one side of the body). This type of non-invasive brain stimulation has shown beneficial behavioral effects and is more cost-effective and portable than previous types. Being able to combine tDCS with other therapies could improve hand function in children with hemiparesis more effectively than each therapy separately.
To be eligible, children with congenital (near birth) hemiparesis need to be 8-17 years old, able to partially move the affected hand, able to follow simple instructions, and have no evidence of seizure activity within the last 2 years.
As part of our mission to increase scientific and medical knowledge regarding childhood hemiparesis, hemiplegia, hemiplegic cerebral palsy, pediatric stroke, infant stroke, and other causes of hemiplegia in children, CHASA continues to assist investigators in gathering information that may contribute to knowledge in these fields. CHASA does not endorse these studies, but simply provides this information as a courtesy to families and researchers.
The Brain Plasticity Lab (BPL) at the University of Minnesota has an overall mission to study the brain’s ability to reorganize and recover. Brain plasticity refers to the brain’s ability to change its connections. Research in the Brain Plasticity Lab focuses on promoting recovery of movement after brain injury or insult.
