J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2013 Dec;54(6):484-488. 10.3340/jkns.2013.54.6.484.

A Double-Blind, Sham-Controlled, Pilot Study to Assess the Effects of the Concomitant Use of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation with the Computer Assisted Cognitive Rehabilitation to the Prefrontal Cortex on Cognitive Functions in Patients with Stroke

• Park SH
• Koh EJ
• Choi HY
• Ko MH

• KMID: 2190943
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3340/jkns.2013.54.6.484

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To examine the synergistic effects of both computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation (CACR) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on cognitive function in patients with stroke.
METHODS
The current double-blind, sham-controlled study enrolled a total of 11 patients who were newly diagnosed with stroke. The patients of the tDCS group (n=6) completed sessions of the Korean computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation program five times a week for 30 minutes a session during a mean period of 18.5 days concomitantly with the anodal tDCS over the bilateral prefrontal cortex combined with the CACR. The patients of the control group (n=5) also completed sessions of the sham stimulation during a mean period of 17.8 days. Anodal tDCS over bilateral prefrontal cortex (F3 and F4 in 10-20 EEG system) was delivered for 30 minutes at an intensity of 2 mA. Cathode electrodes were applied to the non-dominant arm. All the patients were evaluated using the Seoul Computerized Neuropsychological Test (SCNT) and the Korean Mini-Mental State Examination.
RESULTS
Mann-Whitney U test revealed a significant difference between the two groups. The patients of the tDCS group achieved a significant improvement in the post/pre ratio of auditory continuous performance test and visual continuous performance test on the SCNT items.
CONCLUSION
Our results indicate that the concomitant use of the tDCS with CACR to the prefrontal cortex may provide additional beneficial effects in improving the cognitive dysfunction for patients with stroke.

Keyword

Transcranial direct current stimulation; Brain polarization; Cognitive function; Prefrontal cortex; Computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation

MeSH Terms

Arm
Electrodes
Electroencephalography
Humans
Neuropsychological Tests
Pilot Projects*
Prefrontal Cortex*
Rehabilitation*
Seoul
Stroke*

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