Chronic cerebellar stimulation for cerebral palsy: a double-blind study

A double-blind, crossover technique was devised to assess the value of chronic cerebellar stimulation in children with cerebral palsy. Cerebellar stimulators were implanted in eight children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. The external transmitter was changed monthly during each of the first 3...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inNeurology Vol. 31; no. 1; p. 87
Main Authors Gahm, N H, Russman, B S, Cerciello, R L, Fiorentino, M R, McGrath, D M
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.01.1981
Subjects
Adolescent
Adult
Cerebral Palsy - therapy
Child
Double-Blind Method
Electric Stimulation Therapy - instrumentation
Electrodes, Implanted
Female
Humans
Male
Research Design
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Summary:A double-blind, crossover technique was devised to assess the value of chronic cerebellar stimulation in children with cerebral palsy. Cerebellar stimulators were implanted in eight children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. The external transmitter was changed monthly during each of the first 3 months and was set to be functional or placebo by random assignment. Objective assessment by physical, occupational, and speech therapists as well as by a neurologist failed to document significant improvement in any of the participants. Some children became less spastic and developed increased mental alertness and improved clarity of speech. However, these improvements occurred during placebo periods as often as with stimulation.
ISSN:0028-3878
DOI:10.1212/WNL.31.1.87