tACS has the potential to directly induce cortical alterations in the intrinsic neural oscillation at specific frequencies, and the brain could mirror the induced frequencies of the external source of oscillations from the stimulation. Hence, tACS with matching stimulation frequency could be an effective means of enhancing brain oscillatory activity to potentially induce synaptic plasticity for restoration of damaged brain functions. However from the existing studies of applying tACS over the M1 in healthy and diseased brains, there is a wide range of applied stimulation frequencies and varied neuromodulation effects on motor behavior or cortical excitability at different frequencies. In this proposal, subject-specific stimulation frequency and latency will be identified.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
50
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
RECRUITINGMagnetic resonance imaging
Structural and functional MRI
Time frame: 3-month after the 10th session training
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
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