NCT06598683

tDCS and Spasticity in Stroke Patients

Effects Of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation On Spasticity In Stroke Patients

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 56 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Riphah International University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 30 Years – 70 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Multiple research has worked on tDCS and its impact on stroke. But none have studied the effects of tDCS on stroke in relation to the different stages of stroke like mild, moderate, moderate to severe and severe stroke as per national institute of health (NIH) scale. Additionally, this study will be conducted to address the few drawbacks in previous studies such as short follow up period by employing evidence based standardized protocols. It can potentially instigate the efficacy of tDCS on spasticity, motor recovery and Quality of life in relation to the different severity levels of stroke.

Detailed description

Multiple noninvasive brain stimulation is also introduced over the few years regarding their impact on spasticity, tDCS being the most common due to its effects on spasticity. There are multiple structural and functional changes in motor cortex post stroke, tDCS causes improvement in motor control by reorganizing the motor cortex. Anodal and cathodal tDCS are based on the current direction with cathodal decreasing excitability of the cortex area and anodal increasing it. Anodal tDCS is more effective in reducing spasticity as compared to cathodal. The change in cortical excitation alters the reflex arc i.e. altering the neurons and reducing their excitability which causes a decrease in tone and facilitates neuroplasticity. Spasticity is often found along with weakness in stroke and is one of the reasons for impaired motor function, increased resistance to stretch and is due to increased excitability and abnormal regulation of spindle and reflex arc. With chronicity and reduced motor control spasticity also increases by 97 %. Spasticity and paresis lead to impaired motor control. Spasticity will not change recovery in function in early stages but is going to affect motor recovery in all stages. Spasticity disrupts motor function and the daily tasks which creates different levels of dependence in the patients hence effecting the QOL. Spasticity is found in almost 40% of individuals suffering from stroke. It affects joints and extremities in a way that impedes function and ADLs. Painful, restricted joints resulting from prolonged spasticity badly impacts the QOL leading to high burden on caregivers

Conditions

• Stroke

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	tDCS	Stimulation in each session will be applied for 20 min by two 5 × 4 cm (20 cm2) saline-soaked sponge electrodes at an intensity of 1.5 mA (0.075 mA/cm2). A gradual ramp up and down of stimulation for 10 s at the beginning and the end of stimulation
OTHER	Conventional	ROM exercises for upper and lower extremities, Stretching of agonists, Strengthening of antagonists, Core stability exercises, Static and dynamic balance activities, Gait training, Functional training

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-10-01
• Primary completion: 2025-06-30
• Completion: 2025-07-31
• First posted: 2024-09-19
• Last updated: 2025-03-24

Locations

2 sites across 1 country: Pakistan