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Original Article

Improvement of Hand Function with Transcranial Direct Current Brain Polarization in Stroke Patients.

Ko, Myoung Hwan , Han, Sang Hyoung , Park, Sung Hee , Seo, Jeong Hwan
Journal of the Korean Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine 2009;33(3):259-264.
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Institute for Medical Sciences, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Korea. dynohero@hanmail.net
2Research Institute of Clinical Medicine, Chonbuk National University Hospital, Korea.
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Objective
To investigate therapeutic effects of anodal direct current (DC) polarization on the primary motor cortex in subacute and chronic stroke patients by measuring changes of hand function and corticospinal excitability before and after stimulation. Method: Fourteen subacute and chronic stroke patients were included in this study. This study was designed as a sham-controlled, double-blind, and crossover experiment. The anode was positioned on the primary motor cortex of the affected hemisphere. The primary motor cortex was identified using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), the motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were recorded by surface electrodes placed over the contralateral first dorsal interosseous muscle. DC was delivered for 20 minute at 2 mA with 25 cm2 saline-soaked sponge electrodes. Before and after DC polarization, we checked the box and block test, nine hole peg test, grip power, lateral prehension power, MEPs amplitude, and MEPs latency. Results: The box and block test, grip power, lateral prehension power, and MEPs amplitude increased after anodal DC to primary motor cortex (p<0.05). Positive correlation showed between improvement of box and block test and change of MEPs amplitude (r=0.808, p=0.001). Conclusion: Increased hand functions and the corticospinal tract excitability were obtained by 2 mA, 20 minute anodal DC polarization. Anodal DC polarization to primary motor cortex may play a potential role for facilitating the corticospinal tract thereby enhancing hand motor recovery in stroke patients. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2009; 33: 259-264)

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