Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) had recently been shown having feasibility in modulating cortical excitability transiently during motor training in a noninvasive way. The findings support that tDCS and motor practice can positively promote post-stroke motor learning to improve upper-limb motor recovery after stroke. A randomized controlled trial will be conducted with three groups: HD-tDCS, conventional tDCS and sham HD-tDCS. A 10-session training will be provided to evaluate the effectiveness of transient modulation of cortical excitability through tDCS with clinical assessment scores.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
25
5 sintered Ag/AgCl ring electrodes will be used at a radius of \~5cm. The electrodes will be placed inside plastic electrode holders which will be filled with gel to have better contact with the scalp.
A pair of 25 cm2 rubber electrodes enclosed in saline-soaked sponges and affixed to the head with rubber bands.
A pair of 25 cm2 rubber electrodes enclosed in saline-soaked sponges and affixed to the head with rubber bands.
Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Shatin, Hong Kong
Action Research Arm Test (ARAT)
The ARAT has total 19 items, divided into 4 categories (grasp, grip, pinch, and gross arm movement). It ranges from 3 to 0 (best to worse).
Time frame: 3-month after the 10th session training
Fugl-Meyer Assessment (Upper Extremity)
The maximum score is 66, divided into 33 items in the form of a 3-point scale (0-2), 0 is cannot perform and 2 performs fully.
Time frame: 3-month after the 10th session training
Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT)
The WMFT measures upper limb ability through timed and functional tasks. It has 17 items, ranging from 0 to 5 (worse to best).
Time frame: 3-month after the 10th session training
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Functional magnetic resonance imaging
Time frame: Baseline
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