Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 24, 2026

Randomized, Triple-Blind, and Parallel-Controlled Trial of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Cognitive Rehabilitation after Stroke
Published on: June 6, 2025
Bi-cephalic transcranial direct current stimulation combined with functional electrical stimulation for upper-limb
Ana Paula Salazar1, Veronica Cimolin2, Giulia Palermo Schifino1
1Rehabilitation Sciences Graduate Program, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), 45, Sarmento Leite Street, 90050-170 Porto Alegre RS, Brazil; Movement Analysis and Rehabilitation Laboratory, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Brazil.
Background:
Stroke survivors often present poor upper-limb (UL) motor performance and reduced movement quality during reaching tasks. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and functional electrical stimulation (FES) are widely used strategies for stroke rehabilitation. However, the effects of combining these two therapies to rehabilitate individuals with moderate and severe impairment after stroke are still unknown.
Objective:
Our primary aim was to evaluate the effects of concurrent bi-cephalic tDCS and FES on UL kinematic motor performance and movement quality of chronic post-stroke subjects with moderate and severe compromise. Our secondary aim was to verify the effects of combining these therapies on handgrip force and UL motor impairment.
Methods:
We randomized 30 individuals with moderate and severe chronic hemiparesis after stroke into tDCS plus FES (n=15) and sham tDCS plus FES (n=15) groups. Participants were treated 5 times a week for 2 weeks. Kinematic motor performance (movement cycle time, velocity profile) and movement quality (smoothness, trunk contribution, joint angles) were assessed during an UL reach-to-target task.Handgrip force and motor impairment were also recorded before and after the intervention.
Results:
Participants allocated to the tDCS plus FES group improved movement cycle time (P=0.039), mean reaching velocity (P=0.022) and handgrip force (P=0.034). Both groups improved the mean returning phase velocity (P=0.018), trunk contribution (P=0.022), movement smoothness (P=0.001) and UL motor impairment (P=0.002).
Conclusions:
Concurrent bi-cephalic tDCS and FES slightly improved reaching motor performance and handgrip force of chronic post-stroke individuals with moderate and severe UL impairment.
Trial Registration:
ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02818608).
Related Concept Videos
Veins of Upper Limbs
The deep venous system is primarily composed of the ulnar and radial veins. The ulnar vein, which drains the fingers through the superficial palmar venous arches, and the radial vein, which serves the palms via the deep palmar...
Arteries of the Upper Limbs
Electrical Current
Bones of the Upper Limb: Ulna
Bones of the Upper Limb: Radius
The radius has a nail-shaped head, and a...
Bones of the Upper Limb: Humerus

