| Objective: To explore the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with modified constraint induced movement therapy (mCIMT) on upper limb motor function and activities of daily living in stroke patients.Methods: All 84 stroke patients were randomly divided into three groups: A, B and C. Group A received conventional rehabilitation program, group B received mCIMT based on group A, and group C received tDCS based on group B. The modified Barthel Index (MBI), Fugl-Meyer assessment for the upper extremity (FMA-UE) and Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) were performed before treatment (T1), 2 weeks after treatment (T2), 4 weeks after treatment (T3), 1 month after discharge (T4), and 2 months after discharge (T5). Results: The repeated measure ANOVA indicated a significant interaction between groups and time on MBI, FMA-UE and WMFT scores (P<0.01). Comparison among the three outcome indicators showed that: Compared with group A, there was no significant difference at T1 and T2, but significantly increased in group B at T3, T4 and T5 (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between group C and group A at T1, but significant difference was found at T2, T3, T4 and T5 (P<0.05). There were no significant differences between group B and group C at T1 and T2, but significant difference existed between the two groups at T3, T4, and T5 (P<0.05).Conclusion: The tDCS combined with mCIMT can effectively improve upper limb motor function and activities of daily living with stroke patients, and the efficacy can be maintained after the end of treatment. |
