Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Potentiates Improvements in Functional Ability in Patients With Chronic Stroke Receiving Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Transcranial direct current stimulation may enhance effect of rehabilitation in patients with chronic stroke. The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation combined with constraint-induced movement therapy of the paretic upper limb. METHODS A total of 44 patients with stroke were randomly allocated to receive 2 weeks of constraint-induced movement therapy with either anodal or sham transcranial direct current stimulation. The primary outcome measure, Wolf Motor Function Test, was assessed at baseline and after the intervention by blinded investigators. RESULTS Both groups improved significantly on all Wolf Motor Function Test scores. Group comparison showed improvement on Wolf Motor Function Test in the anodal group compared with the sham group. CONCLUSIONS Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation combined with constraint-induced movement therapy resulted in improvement of functional ability of the paretic upper limb compared with constraint-induced movement therapy alone. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01983319.