Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Combined with Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Upper Extremity Motor Function in Patients with Stroke

Objective The aim of the study was to investigate the treatment effects of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation on the motor function of upper extremity in persons with stroke. Design This study was a pilot double-blind randomized controlled trial. Twenty-six patients due to stroke onset of more than 6 mos were randomly allocated to three groups: transcranial direct current stimulation combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation group, transcranial direct current stimulation group, or control group. In addition to conventional rehabilitation, all subjects received one of the three protocols in a total of 15 sessions for 3 wks. Results A significant difference among the three groups was found for the change scores of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment upper extremity subscale from pretreatment to 1-mo follow-up (P = 0.02), in favor of the transcranial direct current stimulation combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation group. Moreover, the transcranial direct current stimulation combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation group showed significant within-group improvement on the Fugl-Meyer Assessment upper extremity (from preintervention to postintervention, P = 0.01) and the Action Research Arm Test (from preintervention to postintervention and to 1-mo postintervention, P = 0.03 and P = 0.04, respectively). Conclusions This preliminary study reveals that combining transcranial direct current stimulation and neuromuscular electrical stimulation with regular rehabilitation programs may enhance better upper extremity functional improvement than regular rehabilitation programs alone in patients with chronic stroke.