Affiliations: [a] Clinic of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| [b] Medical Faculty, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| [c]
University of Belgrade Institute for Medical Research, Belgrade, Serbia
| [d]
University Children Hospital, Belgrade, Serbia
| [e]
Department of Neurology Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia
| [f] Medical Faculty of Military Medical Academy, University of Defense, Belgrade, Serbia
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Tihomir V. Ilić, MD, PhD, Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty of Military Medical Academy, University of Defense, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia. Tel./Fax: +381 11 3609064, E-mail: tihoilic@gmail.com.
Abstract: Background: A growing body of evidence supports the effectiveness of using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in patients with chronic hand motor impairment resulting from stroke. Objective: In this study, we investigate and compare the combined effects of anodal tDCS and occupational therapy (OT) to sham stimulation with OT (control) on fine motor skill deficits of chronic stroke patients. Methods: A total of 26 stroke patients (at ≥ 9 months) were randomly assigned to an active treatment or a control group in a double-blinded, sham-controlled, parallel design study. Each group received OT for 45 min/day (10 sessions for 2 weeks). Treatment was preceded by either 20 minutes of 2 mA anodal tDCS over ipsilesional M1 or sham tDCS. A modified Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (mJTHFT) was administered as primary outcome measure, and handgrip dynamometer and upper limb Fugl-Meyer (ULFM) assessments were performed as secondary outcomes. The assessment was done at baseline (T0), after the interventions on day 1(T1), day 10 (T2) and day 40 (T3). Results: We observed a statistically significant effect in the tDCS group when the results were compared to the sham group. The mJTHFT times were significantly shorter immediately after treatment and at day 40. The intervention had no effect on handgrip strength or ULFM score. Conclusion: Fine motor skill deficits in chronic stroke survivors can be improved when intensive OT is primed with anodal tDCS over the ipsilesional hemisphere.
Keywords: Stroke recovery, rehabilitation, non-invasive brain stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation, occupational therapy
