Article

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether bihemispheric anodal transcranial direct
current stimulation (tDCS) with conventional dysphagia therapy could improve
swallowing function in chronic stroke patients with dysphagia. DESIGN: Randomized
controlled trial. SUBJECTS: Twenty-six patients with dysphagia for at least 6
months post-stroke were randomly assigned into: (i) bihemispheric anodal tDCS
group; or (ii) sham group. METHODS: All patients underwent 10 tDCS sessions with
simultaneous conventional swallowing therapy for 2 weeks. Both anodal electrodes
were attached bilaterally to the pharyngeal motor cortices, and cathodal
electrodes were attached to both supraorbital regions. Swallowing function was
evaluated with the Dysphagia Outcome and Severity Scale (DOSS) before and
immediately after the last intervention session.
RESULTS: The bihemispheric
anodal tDCS group showed a mean significant improvement 0.62 points; standard
deviation (SD) 0.77, in the DOSS immediately after all sessions
(p = 0.02).
However, there was no mean significant improvement in the sham group (0.38
points; SD 0.65(p = 0.06)). There was no significant difference between the 2
groups (p = 0.48). CONCLUSION: The bihemispheric anodal tDCS with conventional
dysphagia therapy had additional helpful effects on the improvement in swallowing
function in chronic stroke patients.

Langue : ANGLAIS