Kirton, AdamCole, Lauran2018-07-092018-07-092018-07-06Cole, L. (2018). Sensorimotor robotic changes of tDCS and HD-tDCS enhanced motor learning in children (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/32328http://hdl.handle.net/1880/107106Non-invasive brain stimulation, such as transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS), can alter cortical excitability and human behavior but investigations to date have been limited in pediatrics. Emerging neurostimulation technologies such as high-definition tDCS (HD-tDCS) are unstudied in the developing brain. Application of tDCS can safely enhance motor skill acquisition in children but mechanisms are poorly understood. Robotics can objectively quantify sensorimotor function and may examine functional changes associated with motor learning and neurostimulation. We aimed to characterize the effects of tDCS and HD-tDCS on motor learning in healthy children. Our randomized, blinded, sham-controlled five day interventional trial demonstrated that both tDCS and HD-tDCS can enhance motor learning with medium to large effect sizes, lasting effects, and favorable safety and tolerability. To explore changes in sensorimotor function accompanying enhanced motor learning, a validated robotic protocol was performed before and after the trial. Motor training was associated with changes in sensory and motor function with less evident effects of stimulation. Both tDCS and HD-tDCS enhance motor learning in children while robotics can explore associated behavioural mechanisms, both of which promise to advance neurorehabilitation strategies in disabled children.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.PediatricsMotor learningBrain stimulationNeuroscienceRehabilitation and TherapyRoboticsmaster thesis10.11575/PRISM/32328