Abstract
BackgroundCognitive impairment after stroke is common and can cause disability with major impacts on quality of life and independence. Transcranial direct current stimulation may represent a promising tool for reconstitution of cognitive functions in stroke patients.ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation on cognitive functions in stroke patients.Patients and methodsForty male stroke patients were included. Patients were divided randomly into two equal groups (A and B). Group A received transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in combination with selected cognitive training program by RehaCom. Group B received sham transcranial direct current stimulation in combination with the same cognitive training program.Cognitive evaluation and functional independence measure (FIM) were done for all patients before and after treatment.ResultsThere was a significant improvement in the scores of attention and concentration, figural memory, logical reasoning, reaction behavior, and FIM post treatment in both groups; the improvement was significantly higher in group A compared to group B.ConclusiontDCS is a safe and effective neuro-rehabilitation modality that improves post stroke cognitive dysfunctions. Moreover, tDCS has a positive impact on performance of daily activities.
Highlights
After a stroke, as many as 55% of people have deficits in episodic memory, up to 40% show deficits in executive functions, and 23% of people have language deficits [1]
There was a significant improvement in the scores of attention and concentration, figural memory, logical reasoning, reaction behavior, and functional independence measure (FIM) post treatment in both groups; the improvement was significantly higher in group A compared to group B
TDCS has a positive impact on performance of daily activities
Summary
As many as 55% of people have deficits in episodic memory, up to 40% show deficits in executive functions, and 23% of people have language deficits [1]. These cognitive deficits have a significant impact on the ability to carry out activities of daily life and may interfere with successful social and occupational reintegration [2]. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is an emerging technique of noninvasive brain stimulation that has been proposed as a tool to improve cognitive function after ischemic stroke [6, 7]. Transcranial direct current stimulation may represent a promising tool for reconstitution of cognitive functions in stroke patients
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