No add-on effect of tDCS on fatigue and depression in chronic stroke patients: A randomized sham-controlled trial combining tDCS with computerized cognitive training.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Fatigue and emotional distress rank high among self-reported unmet needs in life after stroke. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) may have the potential to alleviate these symptoms for some patients, but the acceptability and effects for chronic stroke survivors need to be explored in randomized controlled trials.

Methods

Using a randomized sham-controlled parallel design, we evaluated whether six sessions of 1 mA tDCS (anodal over F3, cathodal over O2) combined with computerized cognitive training reduced self-reported symptoms of fatigue and depression. Among the 74 chronic stroke patients enrolled at baseline, 54 patients completed the intervention. Measures of fatigue and depression were collected at five time points spanning a 2 months period.

SUBMITTER: Ulrichsen KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9304833 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature