Chronic Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Patients With Systemic Autoimmune Myopathies

Systemic autoimmune myopathies are rheumatic diseases that affect the striatum skeletal muscles. Depending on the clinical, pathophysiological and laboratory characteristics, they may be subdivided into polymyositis, dermatomyositis, antissintetase syndrome, immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy, and among others. Recently, the literature has been presenting better pharmacological treatment options to control these diseases. Despite these advances, this group of diseases still continues to be associated with high morbidity and functional disability, mainly due to the proximal muscular weakness of the scapular and pelvic girdles that may prevent the total recovery of these patients. On the other hand, the association of the transcranial current stimulation technique with motor recovery has been frequent, for example, in patients with ischemic stroke or for the optimization of muscular performance in athletes. However, to date, there are no studies evaluating this technique in patients with systemic autoimmune myopathies. Therefore, the main objective of the present prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the application of chronic transcranial current stimulation session - associated with aerobic exercises - in patients with systemic autoimmune myopathies.

• Myositis Disease Activity Assessment Visual Analogue Scales (MYOACT) [Срок оценки: Six times: (a) Before stimulation; (b) Immediately after all stimulation section; (c) after 30, 60, 90 and 300 days after last stimulation section]
• Serum levels of Muscle enzymes [Срок оценки: Six times: (a) Before stimulation; (b) Immediately after all stimulation section; (c) after 30, 60, 90 and 300 days after last stimulation section]
• Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) [Срок оценки: Six times: (a) Before stimulation; (b) Immediately after all stimulation section; (c) after 30, 60, 90 and 300 days after last stimulation section]
• Manual Muscle Testing (MMT) [Срок оценки: Six times: (a) Before stimulation; (b) Immediately after all stimulation section; (c) after 30, 60, 90 and 300 days after last stimulation section]
• Patient Global Activity [Срок оценки: Six times: (a) Before stimulation; (b) Immediately after all stimulation section; (c) after 30, 60, 90 and 300 days after last stimulation section]
• Physician Global Activity [Срок оценки: Six times: (a) Before stimulation; (b) Immediately after all stimulation section; (c) after 30, 60, 90 and 300 days after last stimulation section]
• Fatigue Severity Scale [Срок оценки: Six times: (a) Before stimulation; (b) Immediately after all stimulation section; (c) after 30, 60, 90 and 300 days after last stimulation section]
• Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire 2 (SF-MPQ-2) [Срок оценки: Six times: (a) Before stimulation; (b) Immediately after all stimulation section; (c) after 30, 60, 90 and 300 days after last stimulation section]
• Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) [Срок оценки: Six times: (a) Before stimulation; (b) Immediately after all stimulation section; (c) after 30, 60, 90 and 300 days after last stimulation section]
• Timed up and go test [Срок оценки: Six times: (a) Before stimulation; (b) Immediately after all stimulation section; (c) after 30, 60, 90 and 300 days after last stimulation section]