Alpha transcranial alternating current stimulation as add-on to neglect training: a randomized trial
Marij Middag-van Spanje1,2, Tanja C W Nijboer3,4, Jan Schepers5
1Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Brain Communications
|September 20, 2024
Summary
Multi-session transcranial alternating current stimulation combined with visual scanning training improved visual search and detection in chronic stroke patients with visuospatial neglect, offering a promising complementary treatment for stroke recovery.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Visuospatial neglect is a common consequence of unilateral stroke, impairing daily functioning.
- Effective treatments for chronic visuospatial neglect are needed to improve patient outcomes.
- Non-invasive brain stimulation, like transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), is a potential complementary therapy for stroke recovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the additive effects of multi-session alpha-frequency tACS combined with visual scanning training (VST) in chronic stroke patients with visuospatial neglect.
- To compare active alpha-tACS plus VST against sham tACS plus VST.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind randomized controlled trial involving 22 chronic visuospatial neglect patients.
- Participants received 18 sessions of 40-minute active or sham alpha-tACS combined with VST over 6 weeks.
- Assessments included visual search (star cancellation), visual detection, line bisection, and daily living tasks at multiple time points.
Main Results:
- The active alpha-tACS group showed significantly improved visual search and visual detection performance on the neglected side compared to the sham group.
- No significant effects were observed on line bisection tasks or daily living measures.
- Time effects were noted across most outcome measures, indicating general improvement over the study period.
Conclusions:
- Multi-session alpha-tACS combined with VST may be more effective than VST alone for treating chronic visuospatial neglect.
- This combined approach offers a novel strategy for enhancing cognitive rehabilitation and improving quality of life post-stroke, even long after the initial injury.
- Findings support tACS as a valuable tool in stroke recovery interventions.
Keywords:
activities of daily living (ADL)neglectrandomized controlled trial (RCT)stroketranscranial electrical stimulation (tES)More Related Videos
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