The effect of Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the lower limb function with & without Step exercise in chronic stroke patients: a randomized control clinical trial

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of one-session transcranial direct current stimulation  (tDCS) of cerebral cortex with and without step practice on foot function in patients with chronic stroke. Materials and Methods: It was an interventional and clinical trial study. Forty patients with chronic stroke were randomly assigned into four groups, Sham tDCS, tDCS, tDCS + Step exercise, and Step exercise. Timed up and go test was carried out with asymmetrical position of feet, affected leg behind of the unaffected leg before and after of intervention. In this way, anodal tDCS (2 mA) was applied over the primary motor cortex for 20 minutes. Results: The interactive effect between time and groups has been significant (P=0.002, effect size=0.36). The follow-up test showed that the Timed up and go test time did not show a significant difference between the other groups after the intervention (P<0.05). Conclusion: The use of anodal electrical stimulation of the brain with and without a step training was both effective in reducing Timed up and go test time, but no difference was observed between the two interventions