tDCS does not add effect to foot drop stimulator and gait training in improving clinical parameters and neuroplasticity biomarkers in chronic post-stroke: randomized controlled trial.

Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and foot drop stimulators (FDS) are widely used for stroke rehabilitation. However, no study has investigated if tDCS could boost the effects of FDS and gait training in improving clinical parameters and neuroplasticity biomarkers of chronic post-stroke subjects.

Objective: To investigate the effects of combining tDCS and FDS on motor impairment, functional mobility, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) serum levels.