Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Associate to Constraint Induced Movement Therapy Over Premotor Cortex in Severe Stroke

Federal University of Paraíba60 enrolled

Overview

The purpose is to compare the effects of tDCS and constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT) in the premotor cortex vs. primary motor cortex in severely subacute stroke survivors.

Stroke survivors experience one or more movement-related impairments and activity limitations. In this sense, the premotor cortex (PMC) can be considered as an alternative locus for post-stroke rehabilitation. In relation to physical rehabilitation protocols, associate to neuromodulation, the investigators have chosen a standardized physical therapy protocol for this study, the Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT), which presents evidence of good therapeutic results. The investigators hypothesized that applying tDCS and CIMT over the PMC promotes motor restoration in stroke patients.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

QUADRUPLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Stroke Cerebrovascular Disorders Cerebral Infarction

Interventions

Transcranial direct current stimulationDEVICE

Constraint-Induced Movement TherapyBEHAVIORAL

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 65 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 18 and 65 years * Diagnosis of unilateral, non-recurring, subacute stroke * Participants also had to be able, by using any method of pinch, to grasp a washcloth from a table top, lift it up a few inches, and release it. Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with difficulty to follow the procedures or understand the instructions; cognitive deficits * tDCS criteria: * use of modulators of the Central Nervous System drugs * patients with implanted metallic or electronic devices * pacemaker * seizures * pregnancy * any other condition that might limit or interfere in the sensorimotor system

Locations (1)

Suellen Andrade

João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Functional Independence measured by Barthel Index

Time frame: Change for functional independence at baseline and week 2

Secondary Outcomes

Spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale)

Time frame: Baseline and Week 2

Muscle strength (Medical Research Council Scale)

Time frame: Baseline and Week 2

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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