Optimal transcranial direct current stimulation polarity for enhancing motor recovery from severe post-stroke hemiparesis

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been shown to enhance outcomes of motor training for subjects with mild to moderate post-stroke motor deficit. To determine which tDCS configuration optimizes motor training in cases of severe post-stroke hemiparesis ( ≤ 19 out of 60, Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) upper extremity motor score), this study randomized 26 subjects to 1 of 4 conditions: 1) “anodal” (anodal tDCS to the ipsilesional motor cortex); 2) “cathodal” (cathodal tDCS to the contralesional motor cortex); 3) “dual” (anodal tDCS to the ipsilesional motor cortex and cathodal tDCS to the contralesional motor cortex); or 4) “sham” tDCS.
Source: BRAIN STIMULATION: Basic, Translational, and Clinical Research in Neuromodulation - Category: Neurology Authors: Source Type: research