The Effect of Bihemispheric Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Therapy on Upper Extremity Motor Functions in Stroke Patients
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Stroke
- Sponsor
- Baskent University
- Enrollment
- 32
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Change in upper extremity impairment
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 7 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
Motor impairment (impairment of movement) due to stroke is one of the leading disabilities in adults. In addition to established means of facilitating motor recovery after stroke such as physical and occupational therapy, a variety of experimental rehabilitation approaches have been tested. Although there have been significant advances in stroke rehabilitation with these techniques and treatments, research on this subject is continuing. Recent studies have focused on non-invasive brain stimulation techniques. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) therapies, which are methods of non-invasive brain stimulation that may be effective on cerebral remodelling, aim to reestablish the disturbed balance between the anatomic areas of the brain seen in stroke patients.
The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of bihemispheric transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applications on the upper extremity motor functions of patients with stroke.
Detailed Description
Motor impairment due to ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke is one of the leading disabilities in adults. In addition to established means of facilitating motor recovery after stroke such as physical and occupational therapy, a variety of experimental rehabilitation approaches have been tested. Recent developments include noninvasive brain stimulation techniques such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). The use of these tools is based on neurophysiologic studies demonstrating an imbalance of interhemispheric interactions which appears to interfere with the recovery process. The model of interhemispheric imbalance provides a framework for developing hypotheses based on its 2 facets: 1) upregulating excitability of intact portions of the ipsilesional motor cortex and 2) downregulating excitability of the contralesional motor cortex to modulate its unrestrained inhibitory influence on ipsilesional regions. Studies to date have shown have shown the beneficial effects of tDCS on motor skills and motor learning. Bihemispheric tDCS may potentiate the effects of anodal stimulation to the lesional hemisphere through additional modulation of interhemispheric interactions via cathodal stimulation to the contralesional motor cortex. The primary aim of this prospective, randomized, sham controlled study is to evaluate the effectiveness of bihemispheric transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applications on the upper extremity motor functions of patients with stroke.
Investigators
Dilek Cetinkaya Alisar
physical and rehabilitation medicine trainee
Baskent University
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •18-75 years old, female or male
- •Clinical evaluation consistent with hemiplegia
- •First time stroke with brain computerized tomography (CT) and / or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings consistent with stroke
- •At least 3 months since stroke onset
- •Presence of a stable medical condition
- •Preserved cognitive function as determined by a mini mental state examination score of 23 and above
Exclusion Criteria
- •Presence of a sensory aphasia
- •Presence of neglect syndrome
- •A history of epilepsy
- •Presence of a pacemaker
- •Previous history of stroke
- •History of previous cranial surgery
- •Presence of a brain tumour
- •Presence of an intracranial metallic implant
- •Marked hearing / visual impairment
- •Presence of severe spasticity (grade 3-4 according to the modified Ashworth scale)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Change in upper extremity impairment
Time Frame: Before treatment sessions begin and 1 week after fifteen treatment sessions have been completed (three weeks after the initial onset of treatment).
The Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity (FMUE) Scale is a widely used and highly recommended stroke-specific, performance-based measure of impairment. It is designed to assess reflex activity, movement control and muscle strength in the upper extremity of people with post-stroke hemiplegia. It has been extensively used as an outcome measure in rehabilitation trials and to record poststroke recovery, particularly in the USA. The FMUE Scale comprises 33 items, each scored on a scale of 0 to 2, where 0 = cannot perform, 1 = performs partially and 2 = performs fully. It is free, requires only household items for testing, and takes up to 30 minutes to administer.The total score ranges from 0-66 where 66. The higher the score the less the level of impairment.
Secondary Outcomes
- Change in functionality(Before treatment sessions begins and 1 week after fifteen treatment sessions have been completed (three weeks after the initial onset of treatment))
- Change in motor activity(Before treatment sessions begins and 1 week after fifteen treatment sessions have been completed (three weeks after the initial onset of treatment))