Conversion disorder refers to impaired voluntary motor or sensory functions that are not compatible with a well-known neurological condition. This disorder affects up to 30% of hospitalized patients in neurology departments and symptoms persist in 35% of patients after 12 years of evolution. Despite a poor prognosis, no treatments have been validated to date.
The development of non-invasive brain stimulation techniques has allowed the creation of treatments focused on dysfunctional brain regions associated with motor conversion disorder. Hypoactivation of prefrontal dorso-lateral cortex underlies the course of functional motor symptoms. Results of the HYCORE study conducted at Nîmes University Hospital (including 20 patients, clinicaltrial.gov NCT02329626) confirmed these results and related hypoactivation of PFDLC to persistent motor disability at 3 months and 6 months follow-up. Activation of the PFDLC could restore executive control and thus promote the recovery of motor symptoms.
However, in most repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) the primary motor areas were targeted and the clinical improvement was related to self-suggestion induced by the motor response produced.
Among the different techniques, transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a medical neuromodulation device that delivers a direct, low-intensity electric current to cortical areas, facilitating neuronal activity. Recently, PFDLC stimulation via tDCS has been used to treat several neuropsychiatric disorders and shown to be effective in depression. In addition, this technique has several advantages compared to rTMS: its use is simpler and costs 5 to 8 times less, the device is portable and there is no titration procedure. The tolerance of the tDCS is also better with no risk of epileptic seizure, neuronal depolarization being absent.
The patient must have given his/her informed and signed consent.
The patient is at least (≥) 18 years old and 65 years old at the most (≤). The risk of an increased frequency of somatic comorbidity, drug co-prescription, and cognitive impairment prompts us to limit recruitment to age 65 in this study.
The patient is hospitalized or followed in consultation.
Patient is available for a follow-up of 6 months.
The patient is participating in another interventional trial.
The patient refuses to sign the consent.
It is impossible to correctly inform the patient.
The patient is pregnant or breastfeeding.
Parallel
Neurostimulation with non-implanted electrodes
DeviceNeurostimulation with non-implanted electrodes
Evaluation of the efficacy of tDCS stimulation of the left PFDLC to treat motor disability in patients with conversion disorder 3 months after the intervention.
Evaluation of the efficacy of tDCS stimulation of the left PFDLC to treat motor disability in patients with conversion disorder at 3 months after the stimulation procedure with the EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale). The Expanded Disability Status Scale is a rating scale of disability divided into eight systems or functional parameters, four major: pyramidal function, cerebellar function, sensory function and brainstem function; four minor: sphincters,vision, mind and others. An encrypted score of increasing severities (0 to 6 or 7) is given to each functional parameter. The overall score of the scale is measured on a scale of 20 levels (0 to 10 per half-point). Up to level 3.5, the score obtained in each functional parameter and the number of affected functional parameters automaticaly determines the EDSS score. From 4 to 7, the definition of each level is also given by the inability to walk (ability to walk without stopping - need for assistance).
Evaluation of the efficacy on motor symptoms at D7 with NIHSS
Evaluation of the efficacy on motor symptoms at Day 7 with the National Institute of Health Stroke Score (NIHSS). The National Institute of Health Stroke Score includes the following domains : level of consciousness, eye movements, integrity of visual fields, facial movements, arm and leg muscle strength, sensation, coordination, language, speech and neglect. Each impairment is scored on an ordinal scale ranging from 0 to 2, 0 to 3, or 0 to 4. Item scores are summed to a total score ranging from 0 to 42 (the higher the score, the more severe the stroke). Duration = 10 minutes
Evaluation of the persistence of efficacy on motor symptoms at 1 month
Evaluation of the efficacy on motor symptoms at 1 month with National Institute of Health Stroke Score (NIHSS). The National Institute of Health Stroke Score includes the following domains : level of consciousness, eye movements, integrity of visual fields, facial movements, arm and leg muscle strength, sensation, coordination, language, speech and neglect. Each impairment is scored on an ordinal scale ranging from 0 to 2, 0 to 3, or 0 to 4. Item scores are summed to a total score ranging from 0 to 42 (the higher the score, the more severe the stroke). Duration = 10 minutes
Evaluation of the persistence of efficacy on motor symptoms at 3 months
Evaluation of the efficacy on motor symptoms at 3 months with the National Institute of Health Stroke Score (NIHSS). The National Institute of Health Stroke Score includes the following domains : level of consciousness, eye movements, integrity of visual fields, facial movements, arm and leg muscle strength, sensation, coordination, language, speech and neglect. Each impairment is scored on an ordinal scale ranging from 0 to 2, 0 to 3, or 0 to 4. Item scores are summed to a total score ranging from 0 to 42 (the higher the score, the more severe the stroke). Duration = 10 minutes
Evaluation of the persistence of efficacy on motor symptoms at 6 months
Evaluation of the efficacy on motor symptoms at 6 months with National Institute of Health Stroke Score (NIHSS). The National Institute of Health Stroke Score includes the following domains : level of consciousness, eye movements, integrity of visual fields, facial movements, arm and leg muscle strength, sensation, coordination, language, speech and neglect. Each impairment is scored on an ordinal scale ranging from 0 to 2, 0 to 3, or 0 to 4. Item scores are summed to a total score ranging from 0 to 42 (the higher the score, the more severe the stroke). Duration = 10 minutes
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