Annals of physical and rehabilitation medicine
-
Ann Phys Rehabil Med · Sep 2018
Randomized Controlled TrialEffect of single-session dual-tDCS before physical therapy on lower-limb performance in sub-acute stroke patients: A randomized sham-controlled crossover study.
Anodal stimulation increases cortical excitably, whereas cathodal stimulation decreases cortical excitability. Dual transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS; anodal over the lesioned hemisphere, cathodal over the non-lesioned hemisphere) was found to enhance motor learning. The corresponding tDCS-induced changes were reported to reduce the inhibition exerted by the unaffected hemisphere on the affected hemisphere and restore the normal balance of the interhemispheric inhibition. ⋯ Muscle strength was unchanged in both limbs for both real and sham groups. Our results suggest that a single session of dual-tDCS before conventional physical therapy could improve sit-to-stand performance, which appeared to be improved over conventional physical therapy alone. However, strength performance was not increased after the combination treatment.