Optimizing Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Motor Recovery From Hemiparesis

This study has 2 aims: 1) determine which transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) electrode configuration is most effective in combination with motor training to promote motor recovery from severe post-stroke hemiparesis; and 2) begin to clarify the extent to which baseline transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) measures predict response to tDCS, as well as the effects of tDCS paired with motor training on TMS measures of motor cortical organization.

To accomplish these aims, the investigators will recruit 36 human subjects with severe post-stroke hemiparesis and assign each subject to 1 of 4 tDCS conditions (anodal excitatory ipsilesional; cathodal inhibitory contralesional; a combination of anodal excitatory ipsilesional during cathodal inhibitory contralesional; or sham). Each subject will undergo a 20-minute stimulation session once a day for 10 days over a 2-week period. Each session will be followed by 3 hours of intensive, task-oriented upper extremity motor training.

Outcome measures for this study include TMS motor cortical maps and standardized tests of motor performance. The investigators hypothesize that all groups will show improvement in all measures; however, both the anodal excitatory ipsilesional group and the cathodal inhibitory contralesional group will show significantly greater improvement compared with the other 2 groups. The investigators will also find evidence clarifying whether the presence or absence of motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) has predictive value regarding which tDCS configuration would be most effective for a particular subject.

Inclusion criteria

• Chronic stroke patients
• Single stroke
• Chronic (more than 12 months after from stroke)
• At least 18 years old, but there is no upper age range for this project.
• Participants NOT able to extend the affected metacarpophalangeal joints at least 10° and the wrist 20°.

Exclusion criteria

• History of head injury with loss of consciousness, seizure, severe alcohol or drug abuse, psychiatric illness
• Within 3 months of recruitment, use of drugs known to exert detrimental effects on motor recovery
• Cognitive deficit severe enough to preclude informed consent
• Positive pregnancy test or being of childbearing age and not using appropriate contraception
• Participants with history of untreated depression.