Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Peripheral Stimulation on Electrical Activity of the Tibialis Anterior Muscle and Balance in Stroke Survivors with Hemiparesis – Randomized, Sham-Controlled, Double-Blind, Clinical Trial

Abstract

Objective: Lower limb motor dysfunction and lack of balance is one of the most common and disabling sequelae affecting stroke. Objectives: Analyze the effects of the combination of Transcranial Direct Stimulation (tDCS) with peripheral stimulation (PES) on the activity of the tibialis anterior (TA) paretic and balance of hemiparetic post stroke.Methods: Participated 36 hemiparetic chronic. The TA was evaluated with EMG by median frequency (MDF)/ root mean square (RMS) and balance by Mini-BES Test. Evaluations were performed three times: pre, post 10 treatment sessions and 30 followup days. To treatment, subjects were randomized in 3 groups: PESa (active) /tDCSp (placebo); PESa /tDCSa and PESp /tDCSa. tDCS anode electrode was applied over injured motor cortex (C1/C2) and cathode uninjured (C1/C2) for 20 min associated with active dorsiflexion and PES for 30 min (active PES was applied over paretic TA and placebo in TA bone portion). The treatment was performed five times a week/2 week.Results: There was no difference in RMS for either group. Intragroup MDF significantly decreased (p <0.05 Repeated measures ANOVA) after 10 days of treatment and follow-up in all groups; intergroup MDF was significantly lower after 10 days and follow-up in the PESa/tDCSa and PESp /tDCSa groups compared to PESa/tDCSp (p <0.05 Repeated measures ANOVA). Balance improved significantly (p= 0.00 Friedman) and clinically important (>3 points) in PESa /tDCSa after 10 days and follow-up there was no difference (p> 0.05 Kruskal-Wallis) between groups. Conclusion:EMG, ETCC did not potentiate PES. In Balance, the combined techniques provided clinical improvement.