Stroke
Conditions
Brief summary
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) had recently been shown having feasibility in modulating cortical excitability transiently during motor training in a noninvasive way. The findings support that tDCS and motor practice can positively promote post-stroke motor learning to improve upper-limb motor recovery after stroke. A randomized controlled trial will be conducted with three groups: HD-tDCS, conventional tDCS and sham HD-tDCS. A 10-session training will be provided to evaluate the effectiveness of transient modulation of cortical excitability through tDCS with clinical assessment scores.
Interventions
DEVICEHD-tDCS group
5 sintered Ag/AgCl ring electrodes will be used at a radius of \ 5cm. The electrodes will be placed inside plastic electrode holders which will be filled with gel to have better contact with the scalp.
DEVICEConventional tDCS group
A pair of 25 cm2 rubber electrodes enclosed in saline-soaked sponges and affixed to the head with rubber bands.
DEVICESham HD-tDCS group
A pair of 25 cm2 rubber electrodes enclosed in saline-soaked sponges and affixed to the head with rubber bands.
Sponsors
Chinese University of Hong Kong
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
1. Hemiparesis subsequent to first-ever unilateral stroke for more than 6 months; 2. MCP and PIP finger joints can be extended to 180° passively; 3. Sufficient cognition to follow the experimental instructions
Exclusion criteria
1. Severe hand spasticity or hand deformity; 2. History of alcohol or drug abuse or epilepsy; 3. Bilateral brain infarcts; 4. Severe cognitive deficits; 5. Comprehensive aphasia; 6. Contraindications to tDCS
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) | 3-month after the 10th session training | The ARAT has total 19 items, divided into 4 categories (grasp, grip, pinch, and gross arm movement). It ranges from 3 to 0 (best to worse). |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Fugl-Meyer Assessment (Upper Extremity) | 3-month after the 10th session training | The maximum score is 66, divided into 33 items in the form of a 3-point scale (0-2), 0 is cannot perform and 2 performs fully. |
| Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) | 3-month after the 10th session training | The WMFT measures upper limb ability through timed and functional tasks. It has 17 items, ranging from 0 to 5 (worse to best). |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging | Baseline | Functional magnetic resonance imaging |
Countries
Hong Kong
Outcome results
None listed