Researchers look at cerebellum stimulation to aid walking

According to a statement, the findings suggest that cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) may be a valuable therapy tool to aid people relearning how to walk following a stroke or other brain injury.

Previous studies in the lab of Amy Bastian, PhD, PT, director of the Motion Analysis Laboratory at Kennedy Krieger Institute, have shown that the cerebellum, a part of the brain involved in movement coordination, is essential for walking adaptation.

In this new study, Dr Bastian and her colleagues explored the impact of stimulation over the cerebellum on adaptive learning of a new walking pattern. Specifically, her team tested how anode (positive), cathode (negative) or sham (none) stimulation affected this learning process.

‘We’ve known that the cerebellum is essential to adaptive learning mechanisms such as reaching, walking, balance and eye movements,’ said Dr Bastian. ‘In this study, we wanted to examine the effects of direct stimulation of the cerebellum on locomotor learning utilising a split-belt treadmill that separately controls the legs.’