This study aims to test whether repeated sessions of tDCS result in long-lasting improvements in motor function in patients with chronic stroke.
Previous research that utilises single sessions of tDCS have demonstrated functional improvements; however, these improvements are usually short-lived, lasting less than one hour before the patient's performance returns to baseline. It has been suggested that repeated stimulation sessions are required to elicit long-lasting improvements. We aim to consider these details over the duration of this research, during which patients with chronic stroke will attend for 16 sessions over the course of 3 months. This research has important implications; previous studies suggest that such an approach has the potential to facilitate physical rehabilitation post-stroke and establish tDCS as a clinically viable rehabilitative tool. Recovery of motor skills may take many months to acquire and therefore strategies that have the potential to enhance acquisition of skill are of practical and scientific interest.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
80
Participants will receive anodal tDCS over the primary motor cortex of the ipsilesional hemisphere. The following parameters will be used: stimulation intensity of 1mA for the first 20 minutes of motor training (9 consecutive sessions Monday-Friday).
All participants will receive a standardised motor training intervention for the upper paretic limb
Centre for Functional MRI of the Brain (FMRIB)
Oxford, United Kingdom
RECRUITINGFugl Meyer Assessment of Motor Recovery following Stroke
We are looking for a change in scores between the average of the 2 baseline session scores, and those collected during each follow-up session.
Time frame: Assessed at 2 separate baseline sessions (at least 1 week apart), and then again immediately following the 9 day intervention (day 10), 1 week, 1 month and 3 months later.
Wolf Motor Function Test
We are looking for a change in scores between the average of the 2 baseline session scores, and those collected during each follow-up session.
Time frame: Assessed at 2 separate baseline sessions (at least 1 week apart), and then again immediately following the 9 day intervention (day 10), 1 week, 1 month and 3 months later.
Action Research Arm Test
We are looking for a change in scores between the average of the 2 baseline session scores, and those collected during each follow-up session.
Time frame: Assessed at 2 separate baseline sessions (at least 1 week apart), and then again immediately following the 9 day intervention (day 10), 1 week, 1 month and 3 months later.
9 Hole Peg Test
We are looking for a change in scores between the average of the 2 baseline session scores, and those collected during each follow-up session.
Time frame: Assessed at 2 separate baseline sessions (at least 1 week apart), and then again immediately following the 9 day intervention (day 10), 1 week, 1 month and 3 months later.
Reaction Time Test
We are looking for a change in scores between the average of the 2 baseline session scores, and those collected during each follow-up session.
Time frame: Assessed at 2 separate baseline sessions (at least 1 week apart), and then again immediately following the 9 day intervention (day 10), 1 week, 1 month and 3 months later.
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Stroke Impact Scale
We are looking for a change in scores between the average of the 2 baseline session scores, and those collected during each follow-up session.
Time frame: Assessed at 2 separate baseline sessions (at least 1 week apart), and then again immediately following the 9 day intervention (day 10), 1 week, 1 month and 3 months later.