Combined tDCS and Vision Restoration Training in Subacute Stroke Rehabilitation: A Pilot Study

University of Magdeburg

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 2; Phase 1

Conditions: Stroke; Hemianopia

Treatments: Behavioral: Standard rehabilitation; Device: tDCS

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02935413

CES_NTG_Pilot

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this Study is to determine whether non-invasive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is effective in increasing rehabilitation effects after stroke in visual Cortex.

Full description

Visual field defects after posterior cerebral artery stroke can be improved by vision restoration training (VRT), but when combined with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) which alters brain excitability, vision restoration can be potentiated in the chronic stage. Because it is possible that such therapy may be more effective during the early recovery phase after the stroke and can reach patients during the rehabilitation phase, investigators wished to explore the applicability, efficacy and safety of early intervention with a combined tDCS/VRT treatment.

Seven post-acute stroke homonymous hemianopia patients were assigned to 10 sessions of combined tDCS (2mA, 10 daily sessions of 15-20 min) and VRT. The primary outcome criterion was the pre-post change in perimetric detection thresholds in percent. The results were compared to 7 age and stroke lesion matched controls of our patient data pool who received standard rehabilitation.

Enrollment: 14 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 80 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Posterior Cerebral Artery Stroke
• Visual Field Defect
• Lesion age 4 weeks up to 6 month max

Exclusion criteria

• Electrical Implants
• Metal artefacts in head
• Epilepsy
• Visual Neglect

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Non-Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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14 participants in 2 patient groups

tDCS

Active Comparator group

Description:

group receiving complete treatment of transcranial direct current stimulation

Treatment:

Device: tDCS

Standard rehabilitation

Active Comparator group

Description:

Standard rehabilitation procedures

Treatment:

Behavioral: Standard rehabilitation