Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Balance and Stroke Specific Quality of Life in Stroke Patients

Stroke is the leading cause of disability which requires rehabilitation. It is defined as obstruction or restriction of blood supply to the brain, usually because a blood vessel supplying brain is burst or blocked by a clot; causing damage to the cells of brain. This in turn may result in physical and/or mental disabilities. Upper limb functions are most commonly impaired following stroke; which also deteriorates activities of daily living. tDCS is a novice approach which can improve upper limb function by modulating cortical neuronal excitability. Objective: To investigate the effect of cathodal, anodal and sham tDCS on balance and stroke specific quality of life in stroke patients. Method: 30 stroke patients meeting inclusion criteria were randomly allocated into three groups. Group A, B and C received cathodal tDCS, anodal tDCS and sham tDCS respectively. The intensity of the current was 2mA given for 20 minutes along with all the upper limb active and fine motor exercises. It was given for 12 sessions in 3 weeks. Berg balance scale and stroke specific quality of life questionnaire was taken to assess lower limb function respectively. It was taken before and after the 3 weeks. Result: paired t test showed that the balance improved before and after treatment with cathodal (0.003) and anodal (0.000) tDCS and sham stimulation (0.917) and also for SSQOL cathodal and anodal showed improvement in quality of life but sham stimulation showed no improvement. (0.173). Kruskal Wallis Test showed significant difference in between the groups (p<0.05) which showed balance improved more in anodal tDCS than cathodal and sham. Also cathodal tDCS balance compared to sham tDCS. but in SSQOL there was no significant improvement seen in all three groups. Conclusion: Both cathodal and anodal tDCS improve balance over sham tDCS. Improvement of balance with anodal tDCS was better than cathodal tDCS. There was no change in SSOL