Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Strength in Subacute Stroke

Riphah International University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Stroke

Treatments: Other: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05878626

REC01355 Hamad

Details and patient eligibility

About

Loss of strength is a common complication post stroke which leads to loss of balance and walking ability. Variety of interventions are adopted to improve muscle strength after stroke. These include progressive resistance training, specific task training or functional training, functional electrical stimulation and high intensity aerobic exercises

Full description

Transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS) is a relatively new treatment approach for stroke recovery. TDCS is a neuromodulation method which involves application of weak direct current stimulations over the scalp via electrodes. It could induce plasticity via modulation of resting membrane potential and modification of spontaneous discharge rate.

TDCS has been shown to have beneficial effects on mobility, muscle strength, motor learning, lower limb function, balance, gait, functionality and walking ability in post stroke patients. TDCS appears to be a promising intervention for stroke patients however its effects are not significant if used in isolation. Thus, it should be used as an adjunct to some other treatment.

Review of available literature indicates TDCS can be a good option in short and intermediate run but its effects in the long run have not been studied yet. Furthermore, to the best of my knowledge there is little literature available about the long-term effects of TDCS on muscle strength in subacute stage. Therefore, this study is designed to test the long-term effects of TDCS stimulation on subacute stroke patients.

Enrollment: 40 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 45 to 60 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Subacute and first MCA stroke
• Ischemic stroke
• Medium to high fall risk on BBS (BBS score ≤ 40)

Exclusion criteria

• Hearing and Visual loss/deficit
• Recurrent CVA
• Neurological condition affecting balance like Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson disease etc
• Wound at skull
• Presence of shunt and/or metallic implant at cranial region
• Brain tumors
• Musculoskeletal conditions affecting lower limbs
• Cognitively compromised

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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40 participants in 2 patient groups

Group A

Experimental group

Description:

receive Anodal TDCS with spongy electrodes applied to the M1 (supplementary motor area) of the skull which corresponds to C3 and C4 on the 10/20 EEG system. The intensity of TDCS will be 2.5 mA and the duration will be 20 mints. The intervention will be applied twice a day with a time difference of 30 minutes between the two sessions.

Treatment:

Other: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Group B

Sham Comparator group

Description:

receive conventional treatment in the form of motor relearning program (MRP). And Sham application of anodal TDCS

Treatment:

Other: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation