The aim of the study is to investigate whether the combination of bihemispheric ("dual") transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and motor training on 5 consecutive days facilitates motor recovery in chronic stroke. Results will be compared to a matched group of patients undergoing anodal tDCS as well as a control group receiving sham tDCS. Functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before/after the intervention and during a 3 month follow-up will help investigating neural correlates of expected changes in motor function of the affected upper extremity.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
50
transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
Motor training of the affected upper extremity (5 days, 25 min/day).
Charite Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Berlin, Germany
Motor Function of the Affected Upper Extremity
Effects of dual tDCS + training vs sham-tDCS + training on the motor function of the affected upper extremity (measured by standardized behavioral tests).
Time frame: Change from baseline after 5 days (immediately after intervention)
Motor Function of the Affected Upper Extremity
Effects of dual tDCS + training vs sham-tDCS + training on the motor function of the affected upper extremity (measured by standardized behavioral tests).
Time frame: change from baseline after 3 months
Motor Function of the Affected Upper Extremity
Effects of dual tDCS + training vs anodal tDCS + training on the motor function of the affected upper extremity (measured by standardized behavioral tests).
Time frame: After 5 days (immediately after intervention), after 3 months vs baseline (before intervention)
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Effects of dual tDCS + training vs anodal tDCS + training vs sham-tDCS + training on task-specific activations and functional connectivity (measured by functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, fMRI).
Time frame: After 5 days (immediately after intervention), after 3 months vs baseline (before intervention)
Diffusion Tensor Imaging
Effects of dual tDCS + training vs anodal tDCS + training vs sham-tDCS + training on cerebral microstructure (measured by Diffusion Tensor Imaging, DTI).
Time frame: After 5 days (immediately after intervention), after 3 months vs baseline (before intervention)
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Effects of dual tDCS + training vs anodal tDCS + training vs sham tDCS + training on excitability of the primary motor cortex (measured by Motor Evoked Potentials, MEP, using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, TMS).
Time frame: After 5 days vs baseline (before intervention)
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