Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 17, 2025
08:53
Randomized, Triple-Blind, and Parallel-Controlled Trial of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Cognitive Rehabilitation after Stroke
Published on: June 6, 2025
1.1K
Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation on post-stroke fatigue
William De Doncker1, Sasha Ondobaka2,3, Annapoorna Kuppuswamy2
1Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom. William.doncker.11@ucl.ac.uk.
Journal of Neurology
|February 18, 2021
Summary
Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) significantly reduced post-stroke fatigue symptoms for up to one week. This intervention improved motor cortex excitability and perceived effort in stroke survivors.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Post-stroke fatigue significantly impacts patient quality of life.
- Fatigue is linked to reduced motor cortical excitability in stroke survivors.
- Current management strategies for post-stroke fatigue are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can alleviate fatigue in stroke survivors.
- To explore the potential of tDCS in enhancing cortical excitability to manage fatigue.
Main Methods:
- A sham-controlled, double-blind study involving 30 stroke survivors with severe fatigue.
- tDCS applied bilaterally over the primary motor cortex in a single session.
- Fatigue assessed using questionnaires pre-stimulation, and at 1 week and 5 weeks post-stimulation.
Main Results:
- Anodal tDCS led to significant fatigue improvement 1 week post-stimulation compared to sham.
- Changes in motor cortex neurophysiology and perceived effort were observed.
- Fatigue improvement correlated with baseline anxiety levels.
Conclusions:
- A single tDCS session effectively reduces fatigue symptoms post-stroke for up to one week.
- tDCS shows promise as a therapeutic tool for managing post-stroke fatigue.
- Further research may explore long-term effects and optimal tDCS protocols.
