Non-invasive Brain Stimulation and Occupational Therapy To Enhance Stroke Recovery
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Cardiology, Neurology |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Cardiology / Vascular Diseases, Neurology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 21 - 80 |
| Updated: | 6/6/2018 |
| Start Date: | June 2006 |
| End Date: | February 1, 2013 |
Facilitating Motor Recovery After Stroke Using tDCS
The purpose of this study is to determine whether a non-painful, non-invasive,
brain-stimulation technique called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined
with traditional physical-occupational therapy (OT) will improve motor function in patients
with chronic stroke. The aim is to determine the effect of applying real (anodal and/or
cathodal) - in a dual configuration - vs sham (pretend) tDCS to the motor brain regions on
both hemispheres - in a dual configuration - to improve motor function in chronic stroke
patients. Our research in normal subjects has shown that motor skills can be enhanced if tDCS
is applied to the brain's motor region during motor learning. The effects after a single
session of tDCS can last for up to 30 minutes, effects of multiple sessions (one session per
day) can last for weeks. Furthermore, single sessions of tDCS applied to the motor regions in
stroke patients have shown that improvements in motor functions can be seen and that effects
may last for at least 30 minutes. Patients enrolled in this trial will be randomized to
receive either real tDCS or sham tDCS in combination with PT-OT once a day for 5 days.
Assessments will be done about 3 days and 7 days after the end of the experimental treatment
by investigators who are blinded to the intervention. Patients are also blinded as to whether
they are receiving real or sham tDCS. We hypothesize that real tDCS applied to the motor
regions in combination with PT-OT results in a subsequent improvement in motor function of
the recovering hand over sham tDCS in combination with PT-OT.
brain-stimulation technique called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined
with traditional physical-occupational therapy (OT) will improve motor function in patients
with chronic stroke. The aim is to determine the effect of applying real (anodal and/or
cathodal) - in a dual configuration - vs sham (pretend) tDCS to the motor brain regions on
both hemispheres - in a dual configuration - to improve motor function in chronic stroke
patients. Our research in normal subjects has shown that motor skills can be enhanced if tDCS
is applied to the brain's motor region during motor learning. The effects after a single
session of tDCS can last for up to 30 minutes, effects of multiple sessions (one session per
day) can last for weeks. Furthermore, single sessions of tDCS applied to the motor regions in
stroke patients have shown that improvements in motor functions can be seen and that effects
may last for at least 30 minutes. Patients enrolled in this trial will be randomized to
receive either real tDCS or sham tDCS in combination with PT-OT once a day for 5 days.
Assessments will be done about 3 days and 7 days after the end of the experimental treatment
by investigators who are blinded to the intervention. Patients are also blinded as to whether
they are receiving real or sham tDCS. We hypothesize that real tDCS applied to the motor
regions in combination with PT-OT results in a subsequent improvement in motor function of
the recovering hand over sham tDCS in combination with PT-OT.
Inclusion Criteria:
- First time clinical ischemic stroke or cerebrovascular accident
- At least 5 months out from first ischemic stroke prior to study enrollment
Exclusion Criteria:
- More than 1 stroke (older strokes)
- Significant pre-stroke disability
- A terminal medical illness or disorder with survival of less than 1 year
- Co-existent major neurological or psychiatric diseases (e.g., epilepsy)
- Use of psychoactive drugs/medications - such as antidepressants,antipsychotic,
stimulating agents
- Active participation in other stroke recovery trials testing interventions
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