Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2025
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Randomized, Triple-Blind, and Parallel-Controlled Trial of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Cognitive Rehabilitation after Stroke
Published on: June 6, 2025
344
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Brain-Computer Interfaces for Improving Post-Stroke Recovery: A
Eloise de Oliveira Lima1, Letícia Maria Silva1, Ana Luísa Vilar Melo1
1Aging and Neuroscience Laboratory, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil.
Clinical Rehabilitation
|September 6, 2023
Summary
Transcranial direct current stimulation combined with brain-computer interface did not show superior motor performance or functional independence benefits in stroke patients compared to sham or BCI alone. Evidence quality was very low.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Stroke frequently results in motor deficits and reduced functional independence.
- Brain-computer interface (BCI) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) are emerging neurorehabilitation strategies.
- Combining tDCS with BCI aims to enhance motor recovery in stroke survivors.
Approach:
- A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted.
- Searched multiple databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, etc.) for randomized controlled trials up to April 2023.
- Included studies compared active tDCS+BCI to sham tDCS+BCI or BCI alone for motor performance and functional independence outcomes.
Key Points:
- Nine studies were included in the meta-analysis.
- No significant evidence suggests active tDCS+BCI is more effective than sham tDCS+BCI or BCI alone for motor performance and functional independence.
- Subgroup analysis explored injury severity's moderating effect on motor performance.
- The overall quality of evidence was rated as very low.
Conclusions:
- Current evidence does not support the routine use of tDCS+BCI over sham or BCI alone for stroke rehabilitation.
- Further high-quality research is needed to clarify the potential benefits of tDCS+BCI.
- The effectiveness may vary based on stroke characteristics, including injury severity.
