Objective: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the synergistic effects of combining transcranial near infrared light stimulation (tNIRS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on motor performance in Parkinson’s disease.
Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a major public-health issue in an aging population. Disruptions in mitochondrial function constitute some of the key pathogenic processes in PD with mitophagy being a key mechanism in degeneration of the nigrostriatal neurons. Photobiomodulation using transcranial near infrared light stimulation (tNIRS) has shown to modulate mitochondrial membrane potential and promote neurogenesis. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has also been used to modulate the cortico-cortical and cortico-subcortical activity thereby improving PD functionally.
Method: A 70 year old right handed male diagnosed with idiopathic PD, Hoehn & Yahr stage 2 was selected for the study. tDCS was given using anode on the left M1 corresponding to primary motor cortex (localized using 10-20 EEG system) at 2 mA for 20 minutes. Cathode was placed on the opposite M1 region. After the initial tDCS session tNIRS was applied immediately using non laser light emitting diodes (LED) with 60 LEDs of wavelength 890nm and power density of 100 mW/cm2 on the left M1 region for further 20 minutes. A total of 5 tDCS and 5 tNIRS sessions were given for 5 consecutive days. Motor function was assessed using the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale part III (UPDRS III) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) test as primary outcome measures during the off phase at baseline, day 5 and day 21 as follow up.
Results: The UPDRS III scores improved by 2 points with a 6% percent improvement at the end of the intervention on day 5 and by 4 points with an overall improvement of 13% on day 21 during the follow up. Scores of TUG, TUG motor and TUG cognitive improved by 16%, 18% and 23% respectively from baseline to day 21 during the follow up.
Conclusion: Combining tDCS and tNIRS together can be useful strategy for improving motor performance in PD.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
N. Choudhary. Effectiveness of Combined tDCS and tNIRS on Motor Performance in Parkinson’s Disease – A Single Case Study [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2022; 37 (suppl 2). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/effectiveness-of-combined-tdcs-and-tnirs-on-motor-performance-in-parkinsons-disease-a-single-case-study/. Accessed June 14, 2025.« Back to 2022 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/effectiveness-of-combined-tdcs-and-tnirs-on-motor-performance-in-parkinsons-disease-a-single-case-study/