Stroke
Conditions
Keywords
Motor learning, stroke, tDCS, upper limb
Brief summary
This study will assess the putative advantages of cerebellar stimulation on motor learning abilities of stroke patients. In order to have a control group to refer to, the effect of cerebellar stimulation on healthy young and old participants will also be assessed.
Detailed description
Cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) are the first cause of acquired disability in France. Despite rehabilitation interventions, a great proportion of patients suffers from motor disability in the upper limb. Recently, several studies have shown that post CVA patients exhibit great neural plasticity as a direct consequence of their condition. Interestingly, the transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive electro stimulation technique that allows for a modulation of cerebral activity. It has been shown that when applied to the cerebellum, tDCS increases learning performances of healthy subjects. Yet, motor rehabilitation after a CVA highly relies on motor (re)learning. The cerebellar tDCS thus appear as a promising method to enhance the performance of post-CVA motor learning and consequently the benefits of post-CVA rehabilitation. The current study aims to promote the post CVA neural plasticity by using the tDCS in order to enhance motor learning of the upper limb.
Interventions
DEVICEWith stimulation
ramp stimulation from 0 to 2 mA followed by 20 minutes of stimulation at 2mA while practicing during 3 of the 4 sessions
DEVICENo stimulation
ramp stimulation from 0 to 2 mA followed by 30 sec of stimulation at 2mA.
Sponsors
Centre Hospitalier St Anne
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Right-handed * Affiliated to the French health insurance or similar organisation * Signed informed consent * Clinical examination For Post-AVC patients : * at least 18 years old * completed the Moberg Pick-up test with a minimum score of 20 secondes For Young healthy group * 18 = or \> years = or \<30 For Older healthy group * 50 \> or = years = or \< 80
Exclusion criteria
* Metallic implant in the head * Pacemaker, or other electronic implanted devices * Other central neurological disease * Pregnancy, breast feeding * Previous history of neurosurgery or seizures or 1st degree relative with history of seizures * History of medical neurological or psychiatric disorders * Participation to another study using cerebral stimulation * History of bi-polar or recurring depressive disorders * Planned carotid revascularization, severe caridac disease * Kidney failure (transaminase \> 2 times normal value) * Other invalidating condition or deficiency interfering with the study For Post-AVC patients : * NIHSS score \> 20 * Cerebellar ischemic CVA
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Force control | Day 1 | Measurement in Newton of the force applied by each finger. |
| Overflow | Day 1 | Measurement in ms of the involuntary finger movements. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Moberg Pick-up Test | Day 1 | Assessment of the functionality of the hand. One score will be given at the end of the test. |
| Action Research Arm Test | Day 1 | Assessment of the upper limb mobility. One score will be given at the end of the test |
| Finger time release | Day 1 | Time needed to release the finger force when needed (in ms). |
Countries
France
Contacts
Primary ContactMarion Verneau, PhD
Backup ContactMarie GODARD
Outcome results
None listed