Non Invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Cerebral Palsy (BOOSTTVNS)

The present study aims to assess, through a randomized controlled trial (RCT), the efficacy of transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (tVNS) in enhancing the functional changes due to an intensive motor training in children and adolescents with Cerebral Palsy (CP). Particularly, in two different groups active or sham tVNS will be paired with the Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Therapy Including Lower Extremities (HABIT-ILE) and we will assess the effects on the upper limbs motor ability and daily functioning in 6 to 17 years old patients with CP having mild-to moderate upper limb deficits. The investigators hypothesized that, thanks to the intensive bimanual training, both the active and the sham group will improve in motor functioning. However, taking into account that tVNS has the potential to facilitate in a bottom-up way neural plasticity, particularly in chronic disease conditions, the investigators hypothesized that active tVNS might improve in a greater and more lasting extent than sham tVNS the motor functioning. Moreover, as suggested by previous studies investigating the effect of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) in paediatric population, the investigators expected that the treatment will be safe and well tolerated. Such a result would encourage the use of NIBS to boost the rehabilitative training of motor abilities in children and adolescents with CP.