Article

The aim of this study was to determine whether transcranial direct
current stimulation (tDCS) applied to the primary motor hand area modulates hand
dexterity and selective attention after stroke. DESIGN: This study was a
double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized crossover trial involving subjects
with chronic stroke. Ten stroke survivors with some pinch strength in the paretic
hand received three different tDCS interventions assigned in random order in
separate sessions-anodal tDCS targeting the primary motor area of the lesioned
hemisphere (M1lesioned), cathodal tDCS applied to the contralateral hemisphere
(M1nonlesioned), and sham tDCS-each for 20 mins. The primary outcome measures
were Purdue pegboard test scores for hand dexterity and response time in the
color-word Stroop test for selective attention. Pinch strength of the paretic
hand was the secondary outcome. RESULTS: Cathodal tDCS to M1nonlesioned
significantly improved affected hand dexterity (by 1.1 points on the Purdue
pegboard unimanual test, P = 0.014) and selective attention (0.6 secs faster
response time on the level 3 Stroop interference test for response inhibition, P
= 0.017), but not pinch strength. The outcomes were not improved with anodal tDCS
to M1lesioned or sham tDCS. CONCLUSIONS: Twenty minutes of cathodal tDCS to
M1nonlesioned can promote both paretic hand dexterity and selective attention in
people with chronic stroke.

Langue : ANGLAIS