Effects of combined transcranial direct current stimulation and wrist robot-assisted therapy in subacute stroke patients: preliminary results

Abstract

The main goal of this study is to present preliminary results on the effects of combined transcranial direct current stimulation and wrist robot-assisted therapy in subacute stroke patients. Twelve subacute stroke patients participated in the study and were randomly assigned to the experimental (real stimulation on the affected hemisphere) or control group (sham stimulation). Clinical scales were used for assessment. Kinematic parameters measured at the robot end-effector. Outcome clinical measures show a significant decrease in motor impairment after the treatment in both groups. Kinematic data show, though not significant, improvements between admission and discharge in four selected directions in both groups. Our results do not show any additional advantage of the transcranial direct current stimulation over the wrist robot-assisted therapy.