| Objective: To observe the effectiveness of transcranianl direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback electrical stimulation on upper limb motor function in patients with stroke. Methods: Sixty stroke patients were randomly divided into control group and combined treatment group with 30 cases in each group. Both groups received routine rehabilitation training. Additionally, the control group received myoelectric biofeedback, and the combined treatment group received tDCS combined with myoelectric biofeedback. Before and after 6 weeks of treatment, the patients were assessed with the upper extremity portion of the Fugl-Meyer motor assessment (FMA-UE) and modified Barthel Index (MBI), and the mean surface electromyography (sEMG) of shoulder abduction and wrist dorsiflexion was measured. Results: After 6 weeks of treatment, the scores of FMA-UE and MBI and the mean value of surface electromyography during shoulder abduction and wrist dorsiflexion in both groups were significantly higher than those before treatment (P<0.05, and P<0.01), and the above indexes in the combined treatment group were higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). Conclusions: The combined use of tDCS with biofeedback can be more effective than biofeedback alone for improving the upper limb motor function and activities of daily living of stroke patients. |
