Transcranial direct current stimulation combined with treadmill training for stroke survivors: proposal for a randomized, controlled, clinical trial

Abstract

Check the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation in the primary motor cortex associated with gait training on a treadmill, on the posture of the brain post-stroke individuals. Materials and Methods: The sample will be comprised of 28 individuals with spastic hemiparesis due to stroke and gait. The sample size The gait speed was selected as the primary outcome due to its proven validity in the literature. Subjects will be randomized into two groups: Group 1 (n = 14): treadmill workout combined with placebo ETCC; and Group 2 (n = 14): treadmill workout combined with active tDCS. Three-dimensional gait analysis is performed using the SMART-system D 140® (BTS Engineering) with six cameras, two force plates (Kistler model 9286BA) and a wireless electromyography four channels (FREEEMG®, BTS Engineering). In addition, the evaluation will quantify the static equilibrium (force platform), the functional balance (Berg Balance Scale) and mobility (6-minute walk test and test up and go time). With regard to intervention, it will be held for two consecutive weeks, with five training sessions per week, for 20 minutes per session, and the transcranial stimulation is associated and gait training with an intensity of 2 mA. The results will be analyzed statistically with significance set at 5% (p <0.05). (AU)