《Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice》 ›› 2023, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (5): 521-526.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2023.05.005

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Effect of anodal or cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation on upper limb function of stroke patients

CAI Qian, XU Liang, YANG Xi, LIU Jin, MA Ming()   

  1. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhongda Hospital Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, China
  • Received:2022-12-08 Revised:2023-03-12 Published:2023-05-25 Online:2023-06-19
  • Contact: MA Ming, E-mail: nj9868@163.com
  • Supported by:
    Major Sports Scientific Research Project of Jiangsu Provincial Sports Bureau(ST221106)

Abstract:

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of anodal or cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (atDCS and ctDCS) on upper limb function of stroke patients with moderate to severe upper extremity impairment.

Methods From January to September, 2022, 69 patients in Zhongda Hospital Southeast University were randomly divided into control group (n = 23), atDCS group (n = 23) and ctDCS group (n = 23). All the groups received conventional rehabilitation. Moreover, atDCS group received atDCS over the M1 area of the affected hemisphere, ctDCS group received ctDCS over the M1 area of the unaffected hemisphere, and the control group received placebo stimulation. Before and four weeks after treatment, they were assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities (FMA-UE), Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) and modified Barthel index (MBI).

Results Before treatment, there was no significant difference in the scores of FMA-UE, WMFT and MBI among groups (F < 1.165, P > 0.05). After treatment, all the scores improved significantly in all the groups (|t| > 6.412, P < 0.001), and were higher in the atDCS group and ctDCS group than in the control group (P < 0.05), however, no significant difference was found between the atDCS group and ctDCS group (P > 0.05).

Conclusion Both atDCS and ctDCS could improve the upper limb motor function and activities of daily living of stroke patients with moderate to severe upper extremity impairment.

Key words: stroke, transcranial direct current stimulation, upper limb

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