The impact of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is controversial in the neurorehabilitation literature. It has been suggested that tDCS should be combined with other therapy to improve their efficacy. To assess the effectiveness of a single session of upper limb robotic-assisted therapy (RAT) combined with real or sham-tDCS in chronic stroke patients. Twenty-one hemiparetic chronic stroke patients were included in a randomized, controlled, cross-over double-blind study. Each patient underwent two sessions 7 days apart in a randomized order: (a) 20 min of real dual-tDCS associated with RAT (REAL+RAT) and (b) 20 min of sham dual-tDCS associated with RAT (SHAM+RAT). Patient dexterity (Box and Block and Purdue Pegboard tests) and upper limb kinematics were evaluated before and just after each intervention. The assistance provided by the robot during the intervention was also recorded. Gross manual dexterity (1.8±0.7 blocks, P=0.008) and straightness of movement (0.01±0.03, P0.05). The assistance provided by the robot was similar during both interventions (P>0.05). The results showed a slight improvement in hand dexterity and arm movement after the REAL+RAT tDCS intervention. The observed effect after a single session was small and not clinically relevant. Repetitive sessions could increase the benefits of this combined approach. Correspondence to Stéphanie Dehem, PT, Secteur des Sciences de la Santé, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), Neuro Musculo Skeletal Lab (NMSK), Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL), Avenue Mounier 53, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium Tel: +32 327 645 375; e-mail: stephanie.dehem@uclouvain.be Received October 20, 2017 Accepted January 22, 2018 Copyright © 2018 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
from Rehabilitation via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2BhLxK4
via IFTTT
Δεν υπάρχουν σχόλια:
Δημοσίευση σχολίου
Σημείωση: Μόνο ένα μέλος αυτού του ιστολογίου μπορεί να αναρτήσει σχόλιο.