Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation on motor recovery in patients with subacute stroke

To test the hypothesis that 10 sessions of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with occupational therapy elicit more improvement in motor function of the paretic upper limb than sham stimulation in patients with subacute stroke.

Eighteen patients with subacute stroke with hand motor impairment were randomly assigned to one of the three 10-day sessions of (a) anodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the affected motor cortex, (b) cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the unaffected motor cortex, or (c) sham stimulation. Blinded evaluators assessed upper limb motor impairment and global functional state with the Fugl-Meyer Assessment score and the Modified Barthel Index at baseline, 1 day after stimulation, and 6 mos after stimulation.

Baseline scores for Fugl-Meyer Assessment and Modified Barthel Index were comparable in all groups (P > 0.05). At 6-mo follow-up, cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation led to a greater improvement in Fugl-Meyer Assessment than the sham procedure (P < 0.05). There was a significant inverse correlation between baseline Fugl-Meyer Assessment and Fugl-Meyer Assessment increase at 6 mos (r = -0.846; P < 0.01).

Our results suggest a potentially beneficial effect of noninvasive cortical stimulation during rehabilitative motor training of patients who have suffered from subacute strokes.