學院

醫學院

系所

職能治療學系

題名

Timing-dependent effects of transcranial direct current stimulation with mirror therapy on daily function and motor control in chronic stroke: a randomized controlled pilot study

作者

Liao, W-W., Chiang, W-C., Lin, K-C., Wu, C-Y.*, Liu, C-T., Hsieh, Y-W., Lin, Y-C., & Chen, C-L.

期刊名稱

Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation(SCIE 期刊)

發表日期

2020

著作性質

原著

語文

英文

關鍵字

Timing-dependent effect, Transcranial direct current stimulation, Mirror therapy, Stroke, Activities of daily

living, Upper extremity kinematics

摘要

Background: The timing of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with neurorehabilitation interventions may

affect its modulatory effects. Motor function has been reported to be modulated by the timing of tDCS; however,

whether the timing of tDCS would also affect restoration of daily function and upper extremity motor control with

neurorehabilitation in stroke patients remains largely unexplored. Mirror therapy (MT) is a potentially effective

neurorehabilitation approach for improving paretic arm function in stroke patients. This study aimed to determine

whether the timing of tDCS with MT would influence treatment effects on daily function, motor function and

motor control in individuals with chronic stroke.

Methods: This study was a double-blinded randomized controlled trial. Twenty-eight individuals with chronic

stroke received one of the following three interventions: (1) sequentially combined tDCS with MT (SEQ), (2)

concurrently combined tDCS with MT (CON), and (3) sham tDCS with MT (SHAM). Participants received

interventions for 90 min/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks. Daily function was assessed using the Nottingham Extended

Activities of Daily Living Scale. Upper extremity motor function was assessed using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment

Scale. Upper extremity motor control was evaluated using movement kinematic assessments.

Results: There were significant differences in daily function between the three groups. The SEQ group had greater

improvement in daily function than the CON and SHAM groups. Kinematic analyses showed that movement time

of the paretic hand significantly reduced in the SEQ group after interventions. All three groups had significant

improvement in motor function from pre-intervention to post-intervention.

Conclusion: The timing of tDCS with MT may influence restoration of daily function and movement efficiency of

the paretic hand in chronic stroke patients. Sequentially applying tDCS prior to MT seems to be advantageous for

enhancing daily function and hand movement control, and may be considered as a potentially useful strategy in

future clinical application