Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for improving activities of daily living, and physical and cognitive functioning, in people after stroke
Bernhard Elsner, Joachim Kügler, Marcus Pohl, Jan Mehrholz
Abstract
Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Functional impairment, resulting in poor performance in activities of daily living (ADL) among stroke survivors is common. Current rehabilitation approaches have limited effectiveness in improving ADL performance, function, muscle strength, and cognitive abilities (including spatial neglect) after stroke, with improving cognition being the number one research priority in this field. A possible adjunct to stroke rehabilitation might be non-invasive brain stimulation by transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to modulate cortical excitability, and hence to improve these outcomes in people after stroke.
Topics & Concepts
Transcranial direct-current stimulationPhysical medicine and rehabilitationStroke (engine)Activities of daily livingRehabilitationCognitionNeglectBrain stimulationPsychologyCognitive trainingFunctional electrical stimulationMedicinePhysical therapyStimulationNeurosciencePsychiatryEngineeringMechanical engineeringTranscranial Magnetic Stimulation StudiesSpatial Neglect and Hemispheric DysfunctionVestibular and auditory disorders