Effects of Combined Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation with Cognitive Training in Girls with Rett Syndrome

Abstract

Background: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) combined with traditional rehabilitative techniques has not been widely applied to Rett Syndrome (RTT). The aim of this study was to examine the effects of combined cognitive traditional training with tDCS applied to attention and language measures in subjects with RTT. Methods: 31 subjects with RTT were randomly allocated into two groups: non-sham tDCS (n = 18) and sham tDCS (n = 13). The former received the integrated intervention non-sham tDCS plus cognitive empowerment during the treatment phase. The latter received sham stimulation plus cognitive empowerment. All participants underwent neurological and cognitive assessment to evaluate attention and language measures: before integrated treatment (pre-test phase), at the conclusion of the treatment (post-test phase), and at 1 month after the conclusion of the treatment (follow-up phase). Results: the results indicated longer attention time in the non-sham tDCS group compared to the sham tDCS group with a stable trend also in the follow-up phase; an increase of the number of vowel/phoneme sounds in the non-sham tDCS group; and an improvement in the neurophysiological parameters in the non-sham tDCS group. Conclusions: This study supports the use of tDCS as a promising and alternative approach in the RTT rehabilitation field.

Reviewing Evidence for the Relationship of EEG Abnormalities and RTT Phenotype Paralleled by Insights from Animal Studies

“…TDCS combined with a rehabilitation technique also increased the absolute power of theta, alpha and beta bands in patients’ resting EEG. The increase in theta power reflects some worsening of EEG and was not reproduced in a recent tDCS study by the same research team [ 221 ] that included 31 RTT patients, and was carefully designed to compare tDCS effects in non-sham and sham control groups. Other results were reproduced and pointed to the improvement of behavioral and neurophysiological functions.…”

Virtual Reality and Wearable Technologies to Support Adaptive Responding of Children and Adolescents With Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Critical Comment and New Perspectives

“…Recently, Stasolla et al ( 2021 ) developed new virtual reality-aided solutions to remotely evaluate and recovery cognitive functioning among individuals with neurodegenerative diseases to promote cognitive empowerment (Fabio et al, 2020 ). Internet access and leisure option were embedded in patients with neurological disorders.…”

Social and Cognitive Interactions Through an Interactive School Service for RTT Patients at the COVID-19 Time

“…This requires technological support based on gaze tracking to allow for interaction with other people and with other technological platforms (Caprì et al, 2020a ). From the psychological point of view, studies examining the effectiveness of multimedia technologies have demonstrated positive effects on the cognitive, communicative and motivational abilities of children with RTT (Fabio et al, 2018c , 2020b ). In particular, it was found that multimedia presentations activate motivational factors which, in turn, increase the attention levels of patients with RTT.…”