Combining motor imagery training with transcranial direct current stimulation improves the upper limb functioning of hemiplegic stroke survivors
10.3760/cma.j.issn.0254-1424.2021.07.007
- VernacularTitle:运动想象训练联合经颅直流电刺激对脑卒中偏瘫患者上肢功能的影响
- Author:
Zheng GAO
1
;
Ting YANG
;
Xiaoju WANG
;
Liang XU
;
Xueping LI
Author Information
1. 南京医科大学附属南京医院（南京市第一医院）康复医学科，南京 210006
- Keywords:
Stroke;
Hemiplegia;
Motor imagery training;
Transcranial direct current stimulation;
Upper limb functioning
- From:
Chinese Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
2021;43(7):611-614
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To observe and analyze the clinical effect of combining motor imagery training (MIT) with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for improving the upper limb functioning of hemiplegic stroke survivors.Methods:Ninety stroke survivors with hemiplegia were randomly divided into a conventional group (treated with tDCS) and a combination group (treated with MIT combined with tDCS), each of 45. The conventional group received 20min of tDCS using the IS200 intelligent electrical stimulator once daily, 6 times/week, for 4 weeks. The combination group received 40min of motor imagery training right after the tDCS treatment. Before and after the treatment, upper limb motor functioning was evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer assessment for the upper extremities (FMA-UE) and the Hong Kong version of a functional test for the hemiplegic upper extremity (FTHUE-HK). Surface electromyographs were recorded from the anterior deltoid and the triceps brachii muscles during maximum active shoulder flexion and elbow extension. The muscle strength of the affected limb was evaluated using the root mean square values of the integrated electromyograms (IEMGs).Results:There were no significant differences between the groups before the treatment. Afterward, significant improvement was observed in the average FMA-UE scores, FTHUE-HK scores, surface EMG indexes and iEMG values in both groups. The improvement in the combination group was significantly greater than in the conventional group.Conclusion:Combining MIT with tDCS can better improve upper limb motor functioning and muscle strength after a stroke survivors than tDCS alone.
