Abstract

EFFECT OF TWO NONINVASIVE BRAIN STIMULATION TECHNIQUES ON POST STROKE UPPER LIMB MOTOR FUNCTIONS

Abdel Hamid N. Deghidi*, Intsar S. Waked, M.Zuheir Alkawi, Nor Azlin Mohd Nordin and Raid Al-Baradie

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Recovery of upper limb motor function in patients after stroke is essential for independent activities of daily living, The upper limbs contribute to most ctivities of daily living We designed this randomized double-blind, sham-controlled trial to examine the effect of two noninvasive brain stimulation techniques on recovery of functions in the upper limbs after stroke. Methods: Fortytwo chronic hemiplegic stroke patients were randomly allocated across 3 groups to undergo 24 sessions, 3d/wk of intervention combined with standard physiotherapy for motor functions of upper limb, Group (A) comprised 18 subjects who received 1-Hz rTMS, Group B comprised 13 subjects who received tDCS. Group C comprised 11 subjects who received Sham1-Hz rTMS.. Outcome measures were assessed by the Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA)., grip strength, and stroke-specific quality-of life scale. at the baseline and after intervention. Results: Significant improvement from baseline was noted following intervention in rTMS and tDCS groups, in the FMA, and SSQOL in upper limb motor functions. The rTMS group showed significantly improvements than the other two groups in handgrip strength. Conclusions: Noninvasive brain stimulation combined with standard physiotherapy can be more beneficial in improving upper limb functions after stroke, However, more studies are required to clarify the functional motor changes caused by noninvasive brain stimulations.

Keywords: Stroke, rTMS, tDCS, Limb function, stroke, rehabilitation, Spasticity.