Efficacy of the Non-invasive Brain Stimulation Techniques for Lower Limb Recovery in Stroke Patients
Stroke
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Stroke focused on measuring stroke, transcraniel direct current stimulation, repetitive transcraniel magnetic stimulation, rehabilitation, lower extremities
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
For subjects receiving intervention:
- Male or female aged 21-80 years;
- First ever haemorrhagic or ischaemic subcortical stroke of 3-6 months prior to study enrolment;
- Functional Ambulatory Category 3 (requires not more than minimal assistance for walking);
- Be able to provide informed consent.
For healthy subjects:
- Male or female aged 21-80 years;
- Physically healthy;
- Be able to provide informed consent.
Exclusion criteria:
For subjects receiving intervention:
- Severe claustrophobia;
- pregnancy;
- cardiac pacemakers;
- orthodontics (braces);
- metal implant;
- presence of other non MRI-compatible ferromagnetic implants;
- history of epilepsy;
- sensorimotor disturbance due to other causes other than stroke;
- severe pain in the lower limbs affecting gait;
- uncontrolled medical conditions including hypertension, diabetes mellitus and unstable angina;
- major depression and a history of psychotic disorders (Subject with BDI score more than 30 will be excluded).
For healthy subjects:
- Cardiovascular diseases;
- Diabetes mellitus;
- Pulmonary diseases;
- Smoker.
Sites / Locations
- National University Hospital
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Experimental
Experimental
Sham Comparator
tDCS+ rehab training
rTMS+ rehab training
sham tDCS+ rehab training
tDCS will be applied 10 days, followed by conventional rehab training. Anodal stimulation will be conducted at the intensity of 2 mA and last for 20 minutes over the affected primary motor cortex of cortical representation of the tibialis anterior muscle.
rTMS will be applied 10 days, followed by conventional rehab training. Subjects will receive 10 Hz rTMS, and a total of 1200 pulses will be delivered for one treatment session.
The same stimulation parameters as tDCS treatment will be employed for the sham stimulation. However, the current will be applied for 30 seconds only, to give subjects the sensation of the stimulation.