Dilek Cetinkaya Alisar1, Selin Ozen2, Seyhan Sozay2. 1. Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Bahçelievler Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: drdilekalisar@gmail.com. 2. Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Bahçelievler Ankara, Turkey.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a treatment used in the rehabilitation of stroke patients aiming to improve functionality of the plegic upper extremity. Currently, tDCS is not routinely used in post stroke rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to establish the effects of bihemspheric tDCS combined with physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) on upper extremity motor function. METHODS:Thirty-two stroke inpatients were randomised into 2 groups. All patients received 15 sessions of conventional upper extremity PT and OT over 3 weeks. The tDCS group (n = 16) also received 30 minutes of bihemispheric tDCS and the sham group (n = 16) 30 minutes of sham bihemispheric tDCS simultaneously to OT. Patients were evaluated before and after treatment using the Fugl Meyer upper extremity (FMUE), functional independence measure (FIM), and Brunnstrom stages of stroke recovery (BSSR) by a physiatrist blind to the treatment group RESULTS: The improvement in FIM was higher in the tDCS group compared to the sham group (P = .001). There was a significant within group improvement in FMUE, FIM and BSSR in those receiving tDCS (P = .001). There was a significant improvement in FIM in the chronic (> 6months) stroke sufferers who received tDCS when compared to those who received sham tDCS and when compared to subacute stroke (3-6 months) sufferers who received tDCS/sham. CONCLUSIONS: Upper extremity motor function in hemiplegic stroke patients improves when bihemispheric tDCS is used alongside conventional PT and OT. The improvement in functionality is greater in chronic stroke patients.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a treatment used in the rehabilitation of strokepatients aiming to improve functionality of the plegic upper extremity. Currently, tDCS is not routinely used in post stroke rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to establish the effects of bihemspheric tDCS combined with physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) on upper extremity motor function. METHODS: Thirty-two stroke inpatients were randomised into 2 groups. All patients received 15 sessions of conventional upper extremity PT and OT over 3 weeks. The tDCS group (n = 16) also received 30 minutes of bihemispheric tDCS and the sham group (n = 16) 30 minutes of sham bihemispheric tDCS simultaneously to OT. Patients were evaluated before and after treatment using the Fugl Meyer upper extremity (FMUE), functional independence measure (FIM), and Brunnstrom stages of stroke recovery (BSSR) by a physiatrist blind to the treatment group RESULTS: The improvement in FIM was higher in the tDCS group compared to the sham group (P = .001). There was a significant within group improvement in FMUE, FIM and BSSR in those receiving tDCS (P = .001). There was a significant improvement in FIM in the chronic (> 6months) stroke sufferers who received tDCS when compared to those who received sham tDCS and when compared to subacute stroke (3-6 months) sufferers who received tDCS/sham. CONCLUSIONS: Upper extremity motor function in hemiplegic strokepatients improves when bihemispheric tDCS is used alongside conventional PT and OT. The improvement in functionality is greater in chronic strokepatients.
Authors: Timea Hodics; Leonardo G Cohen; John C Pezzullo; Karen Kowalske; Alexander W Dromerick Journal: Neurorehabil Neural Repair Date: 2022-08-04 Impact factor: 4.895
Authors: Alan-Michael D Chow; Jeonghwa Shin; Hongwu Wang; Jeremy Mikhail Kellawan; Hugo M Pereira Journal: Front Aging Neurosci Date: 2022-03-18 Impact factor: 5.750