Gait-Synchronized Rhythmic Brain Stimulation Improves Poststroke Gait Disturbance: A Pilot Study.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Gait disturbance is a common, debilitating impairment affecting daily life in poststroke patients.
• Reduced lower limb flexion and dorsiflexion during the swing phase of gait are key motor deficits.
• The primary motor cortex (M1) plays a crucial role in controlling gait parameters.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of gait-synchronized rhythmic brain stimulation targeting M1 activity.
• To determine if this intervention can improve gait function in chronic poststroke patients.

Main Methods:

• Eleven chronic poststroke patients participated in a single-blind crossover study.
• Patients received oscillatory transcranial direct current stimulation (otDCS) over the affected M1 foot area, synchronized with their gait rhythm.
• Sham stimulation was used as a control, with ankle dorsiflexion assisted by neuromuscular stimulation in both conditions.

Main Results:

• A single session of otDCS significantly increased self-paced gait speed compared to sham stimulation.
• Repeated interventions led to significant improvements in self-paced and maximally paced gait speed, and timed up and go test performance.
• Enhanced balance function and increased joint flexion in paretic limbs were also observed.

Conclusions:

• Gait-synchronized rhythmic brain stimulation is a promising non-invasive approach for gait recovery in poststroke patients.
• This method may help restore motor function and improve mobility in individuals with chronic stroke.
• Further research can explore optimizing parameters for maximal therapeutic benefit.