Article

This pilot study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of multiple
sessions of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) during 4 weeks on
balance and gait parameters after stroke. METHOD:
Thirty-one stroke patients were
included in this randomised, double-blind, sham-controlled crossover study. The
Tinetti test was used to assess functional balance and gait after stroke.
Secondary measures, Rivermead Motor Assessment (RMA) and Trunk Impairment Scale
(TIS), were registered to asses both motricity and trunk performance. All tests
were administered at baseline, after 4 and 8 weeks. Patients were randomly
divided into two groups. Both groups received both sixteen 20-min sessions of
tDCS and sixteen 20-min sessions of Sham stimulation. Application method between
groups was changed after 4 weeks. A general linear repeated measures model was
used to analyse the results of our study. RESULTS: Results revealed an effect on
the total score of the Tinetti test (p = 0.049). No significant results were
obtained for the RMA (p = 0.166) and the TIS (p = 0.479). CONCLUSIONS: This pilot
study indicates that 16 tDCS-sessions could have a beneficial effect on balance
and gait in stroke patients measured with the Tinetti test. However, further
research is needed to elucidate these findings. Implications for Rehabilitation
Sixteen sessions of tDCS is beneficial in the recovery of postural control in
stroke patients. tDCS has to be applied as soon as possible to enhance beneficial effects.

Langue : ANGLAIS