Article

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that 10 sessions of transcranial direct current
stimulation combined with occupational therapy elicit more improvement in motor
function of the paretic upper limb than sham stimulation in patients with
subacute stroke. DESIGN: Eighteen patients with subacute stroke with hand motor
impairment were randomly assigned to one of the three 10-day sessions of (a)
anodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the affected motor cortex,
(b) cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the unaffected motor
cortex, or (c) sham stimulation. Blinded evaluators assessed upper limb motor
impairment and global functional state with the Fugl-Meyer Assessment score and
the Modified Barthel Index at baseline, 1 day after stimulation, and 6 mos after
stimulation. RESULTS: Baseline scores for Fugl-Meyer Assessment and Modified
Barthel Index were comparable in all groups (P > 0.05). At 6-mo follow-up,
cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation led to a greater improvement in
Fugl-Meyer Assessment than the sham procedure (P < 0.05). There was a significant
inverse correlation between baseline Fugl-Meyer Assessment and Fugl-Meyer
Assessment increase at 6 mos (r = -0.846; P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our results
suggest a potentially beneficial effect of noninvasive cortical stimulation
during rehabilitative motor training of patients who have suffered from subacute
strokes.

Langue : ANGLAIS