Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation on upper limb motor function of patients with stroke / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on motor function of upper limbs of stroke patients with hemiplegia. MethodsFrom October, 2020 to October, 2021, 65 patients from Wuhan No.1 Hospital were randomly divided into control group (n = 32) and observation group (n = 33). All the patients received routine rehabilitation and mirror therapy, and the observation group received tDCS in addition, for four weeks. They were assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities (FMA-UE), Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) and modified Barthel index (MBI) before and after treatment. ResultsThe scores of FMA-UE, ARAT and MBI improved in the both groups after treatment (|t| > 10.455, Z = -2.793, P < 0.001), and all the scores were better in the observation group than in the control group (|t| > 4.152, Z = -2.045, P < 0.05). ConclusionThe combination of tDCS can effectively promote the recovery of upper limb motor function of stroke patients.