The effects of exercise training using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on breathing in patients with chronic stroke patients

[Purpose] This study was conducted to investigate the effect of exercise training using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on breathing in patients with chronic stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty chronic stroke patients who do not show abnormal response to electric stimulation were enrolled in this study and each 15 subjects were randomized either into the study group and the sham-controlled group. The subjects performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise for 20 minutes while tDCS device was attached to them (for study group, the device was on while for the sham-controlled group, the device was turned off 30 seconds later) [Results] The results of FVC, FEF1 and FEV1/FVC in the study group and those of FVC and FEV1 in the sham-controlled group were significantly increased after the breathing exercise. The independent comparison result between the groups showed that the breathing performance of study group significantly improved based on the results of FVC and FEV1. [Conclusion] In conclusion, the results of this study confirmed that breathing exercise effectively improved FVC and FEV1 in chronic stroke patients. Also, the breathing exercise using tDCS was more effective in improving FVC and FEV1.