Background: Recent studies exploring the combined effect of motor learning and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for stroke rehabilitation have shown partially conflicting results.
Objective: To test the efficacy of an optimized hand training approach combined with tDCS in stroke patients.
Methods: In the present pilot study we investigated motor effects of four-week training with a visuomotor grip force tracking task combined with tDCS in 11 chronic stroke patients. Anodal (0.5 mA) or sham tDCS was applied over the primary motor cortex of the lesioned side for 20 minutes, twice a day, during training.
Results: No difference between the Active and Sham groups in the total upper extremity (UE) Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) score was found. The most prominent recovery occurred in the shoulder-elbow FMA sub-score; in this segment a significantly greater improvement in the Active compared to the Sham group was observed up to two months after the intervention. Mean hold force during the first treatment session predicted the change in the total UE FMA score after treatment.
Conclusion: Four-week visuo-motor training combined with tDCS showed no difference between the Active and Sham groups in the total UE FMA score, which may be explained by heterogeneity of the degree of recovery in the Active group. However, the shoulder-elbow FMA sub-score improved significantly more in the Active compared to the Sham group, which deserves further study.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/RNN-160706 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.
Alzheimers Dement
December 2024
Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research at Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, MA, USA.
Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) affects over 55 million people worldwide and is characterized by abnormal deposition of amyloid-β and tau in the brain causing neuronal damage and disrupting transmission within brain circuits. Episodic memory loss, executive deficits, and depression are common symptoms arising from altered function in spatially distinct brain circuits that greatly contribute to disability. Transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) can target these circuits and has shown promise to relieve specific symptoms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEffects of Transcranial and Trans-Spinal Direct Current Stimulation Combined with Robot-Assisted Gait Training on Gait and Fatigue in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Sham-Controlled Study.
J Clin Med
December 2024
Toledo Physiotherapy Research Group (GIFTO), Faculty of Physiotherapy and Nursing of Toledo, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 45004 Toledo, Spain.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological condition that impairs motor and sensory functions, particularly gait. Non-invasive neuromodulation techniques aim to enhance functional recovery and motor-cognitive outcomes, though their effectiveness remains debated. This study compared the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and trans-spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS), combined with robotic-assisted gait training (RAGT), on motor function and fatigue in people with MS (pwMS).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe effect of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on the Iowa Gambling Task: a scoping review.
Front Psychol
December 2024
Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy.
Article Synopsis
- The Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) is an effective method for studying decision-making processes by providing feedback on choices, and its study has recently incorporated transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to explore cognitive and neural mechanisms.
- A scoping review found that tDCS could improve IGT performance, particularly highlighting the importance of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and orbitofrontal cortex in making risky or ambiguous decisions.
- The findings suggest that tDCS can enhance decision-making in both healthy individuals and patients, indicating its potential application in daily decisions and emphasizing the need for further research into the underlying mechanisms.
Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a generalized, widespread chronic pain disorder affecting 2.7% of the general population. In recent years, different studies have observed a strong association between FM and psychological trauma.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeuromodulatory techniques in eating disorders: From electroconvulsive therapy to transcranial magnetic stimulation and beyond: A mixed method systematic meta-review.
Psychiatry Res
December 2024
Eating Disorders Unit, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy. Electronic address:
Background: Psychosocial and pharmacological interventions can effectively treat eating disorders (EDs), but improvements are often short-term and modest. Neuromodulation, altering nerve activity through targeted neurological stimulation, is an emerging intervention in neuropsychiatric disorders. This meta-review synthesizes evidence on neuromodulatory techniques in ED patients, identifying research gaps and future directions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!