Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation in early rehabilitation of patients with post-stroke non-fluent aphasia: a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled pilot study.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

Recent research in patients with chronic aphasia shows an association between excitatory anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (A-tDCS) of the stroke-affected left hemisphere coupled with speech and language therapy (SLT) and better language performance. The present study aimed to investigate this association during the early post-stroke rehabilitation period, when adaptive changes are most possible on neurophysiological and behavioral levels.

METHODS:

We randomized 24 patients with non-fluent aphasia to receive 15 consecutive sessions (5 days/week for 3 weeks) of A-tDCS (1 mA, 10 min; n = 14) or sham tDCS (S-tDCS: 1 mA, 25 sec; n = 10) over Broca's area followed by 45-min SLT. Naming ability was assessed before the rehabilitation, after its completion, and three months later.

RESULTS:

Both groups significantly improved after the therapy. There were no statistically significant between-group differences in the short-term or long-term tDCS effects on naming accuracy and naming time. The A-tDCS group obtained higher effect sizes in naming time, both post-treatment and at the 3-month follow-up, suggesting potential benefits of the stimulation.

CONCLUSIONS:

The findings provide only weak evidence for A-tDCS-related language gains during early neurorehabilitation of post-stroke aphasia. Further research is needed to explore the effectiveness of this kind of neuromodulation.

• Authors: Katarzyna Ewa Polanowska, Marcin Maciej Leśniak, Joanna Barbara Seniów, Wojciech Czepiel, Anna Członkowska
• Journal: Restorative neurology and neuroscience (Restor Neurol Neurosci) Vol. 31 Issue 6 Pg. 761-71 ( 2013) ISSN: 1878-3627 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 24047756 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Anomia (psychology, rehabilitation)
• Aphasia (etiology, rehabilitation)
• Double-Blind Method
• Electric Stimulation Therapy (methods)
• Electrodes
• Electroencephalography
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Frontal Lobe (pathology)
• Humans
• Language Tests
• Language Therapy
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pilot Projects
• Speech Therapy
• Stroke (complications)
• Stroke Rehabilitation