scholarly journals Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Enhances Motor Skill Learning but Not Generalization in Chronic Stroke

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 295-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuela Hamoudi ◽  
Heidi M. Schambra ◽  
Brita Fritsch ◽  
Annika Schoechlin-Marx ◽  
Cornelius Weiller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Function ◽  
Direct Current ◽  
Motor Skill ◽  
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Chronic Stroke ◽  
Skill Learning ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Motor Skill Learning ◽  
Fine Motor Skill ◽  
Direct Current Stimulation

Background. Motor training alone or combined with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) positioned over the motor cortex (M1) improves motor function in chronic stroke. Currently, understanding of how tDCS influences the process of motor skill learning after stroke is lacking. Objective. To assess the effects of tDCS on the stages of motor skill learning and on generalization to untrained motor function. Methods. In this randomized, sham-controlled, blinded study of 56 mildly impaired chronic stroke patients, tDCS (anode over the ipsilesional M1 and cathode on the contralesional forehead) was applied during 5 days of training on an unfamiliar, challenging fine motor skill task (sequential visual isometric pinch force task). We assessed online and offline learning during the training period and retention over the following 4 months. We additionally assessed the generalization to untrained tasks. Results. With training alone (sham tDCS group), patients acquired a novel motor skill. This skill improved online, remained stable during the offline periods and was largely retained at follow-up. When tDCS was added to training (real tDCS group), motor skill significantly increased relative to sham, mostly in the online stage. Long-term retention was not affected by tDCS. Training effects generalized to untrained tasks, but those performance gains were not enhanced further by tDCS. Conclusions. Training of an unfamiliar skill task represents a strategy to improve fine motor function in chronic stroke. tDCS augments motor skill learning, but its additive effect is restricted to the trained skill.

No add-on effects of Unilateral and Bilateral Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Fine Motor Skill Training Outcome in Chronic Stroke. A Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benedikt Taud ◽  
Robert Lindenberg ◽  
Robert Darkow ◽  
Jasmin Wevers ◽  
Dorothee Höfflin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Function ◽  
Direct Current ◽  
Motor Skill ◽  
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Skill Training ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Fine Motor Skill ◽  
Training Outcome ◽  
Motor Skill Training

Abstract Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) may improve motor recovery after stroke. This study investigated if uni- and bihemispheric tDCS of the motor cortex can enhances fine motor training outcome and transfer to clinical assessments of upper motor function. Methods: In a randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled trial, forty chronic stroke patients underwent five days of fine motor skill training of the paretic hand with either unilateral or bilateral (N=15/group) or placebo tDCS (N=10). Immediate and long-term (three months) effects on training outcome and motor recovery (Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer, UE-FM, Wolf Motor Function Test, WMFT) were investigated. Results: Trained task performance significantly improved independently of tDCS in a curvilinear fashion. Anodal, but not dual tDCS resulted in a steeper learning curve on the UE-FM. Neither training nor combined training-tDCS improved WMFT performance.Conclusions: Fine motor skill training can facilitate recovery of upper extremity function. Minimal add-on effects of tDCS were observed.Clinical Trial Registration-URL: NCT01969097 retrospectively registered on 25/10/2013.

Effects of cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on motor skill learning in swallowing

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Kerstin L. C. Erfmann ◽  
Phoebe R. Macrae ◽  
Richard D. Jones ◽  
Esther Guiu Hernandez ◽  
Maggie-Lee Huckabee
Keyword(s):  
Direct Current ◽  
Motor Skill ◽  
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Skill Learning ◽  
Motor Skill Learning ◽  
Direct Current Stimulation

scholarly journals Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) during complex whole body motor skill learning

2013 ◽  
Vol 552 ◽  
pp. 76-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Kaminski ◽  
Maike Hoff ◽  
Bernhard Sehm ◽  
Marco Taubert ◽  
Virginia Conde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Direct Current ◽  
Motor Skill ◽  
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Skill Learning ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Motor Skill Learning ◽  
Direct Current Stimulation

scholarly journals Probing for hemispheric specialization for motor skill learning: a transcranial direct current stimulation study

2011 ◽  
Vol 106 (2) ◽  
pp. 652-661 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi M. Schambra ◽  
Mitsunari Abe ◽  
David A. Luckenbaugh ◽  
Janine Reis ◽  
John W. Krakauer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Direct Current ◽  
Motor Skill ◽  
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Hemispheric Specialization ◽  
Skill Learning ◽  
Motor Skill Learning ◽  
Mixed Model Analysis ◽  
Direct Current Stimulation

Convergent findings point to a left-sided specialization for the representation of learned actions in right-handed humans, but it is unknown whether analogous hemispheric specialization exists for motor skill learning. In the present study, we explored this question by comparing the effects of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over either left or right motor cortex (M1) on motor skill learning in either hand, using a tDCS montage to better isolate stimulation to one hemisphere. Results were compared with those previously found with a montage more commonly used in the field. Six groups trained for three sessions on a visually guided sequential pinch force modulation task with their right or left hand and received right M1, left M1, or sham tDCS. A linear mixed-model analysis for motor skill showed a significant main effect for stimulation group (left M1, right M1, sham) but not for hand (right, left) or their interaction. Left M1 tDCS induced significantly greater skill learning than sham when hand data were combined, a result consistent not only with the hypothesized left hemisphere specialization for motor skill learning but also with possible increased left M1 responsiveness to tDCS. The unihemispheric montage effect size was one-half that of the more common montage, and subsequent power analysis indicated that 75 subjects per group would be needed to detect differences seen with only 12 subjects with the customary bihemispheric montage.

scholarly journals Timing-Dependent Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Hand Motor Function in Healthy Individuals: A Randomized Controlled Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1325
Author(s):  
Nam-Gyu Jo ◽  
Gi-Wook Kim ◽  
Yu Hui Won ◽  
Sung-Hee Park ◽  
Jeong-Hwan Seo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Direct Current ◽  
Motor Skill ◽  
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Skill Learning ◽  
Hand Strength ◽  
Finger Tapping ◽  
Motor Skill Learning ◽  
Healthy Individuals ◽  
Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Randomized Controlled

The timing of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is essential for enhancing motor skill learning. Previously, tDCS, before or concurrently, with motor training was evaluated in healthy volunteers or elderly patients, but the optimal timing of stimulation has not been determined. In this study, we aimed to optimize the existing tDCS protocols by exploring the timing-dependent stimulation effects on finger movements in healthy individuals. We conducted a single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial. The study participants (n = 39) were randomly assigned into three groups: tDCS concurrently with finger tapping training (CON), tDCS prior to finger tapping training (PRI), and SHAM-tDCS simultaneously with finger tapping training (SHAM). In all groups, the subjects participated in five 40-min training sessions for one week. Motor performance was measured before and after treatment using the finger-tapping task (FTT), the grooved pegboard test (GPT), and hand strength tests. tDCS treatment prior to finger tapping training significantly improved motor skill learning, as indicated by the GPT and hand strength measurements. In all groups, the treatment improved the FTT performance. Our results indicate that applying tDCS before training could be optimal for enhancing motor skill learning. Further research is required to confirm these findings.

scholarly journals Offline effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on reaction times of lower extremity movements in people after stroke: a pilot cross-over study

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Milou J. M. Coppens ◽  
Wouter H. A. Staring ◽  
Jorik Nonnekes ◽  
Alexander C. H. Geurts ◽  
Vivian Weerdesteyn
Keyword(s):  
Motor Cortex ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Motor Function ◽  
Direct Current ◽  
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Chronic Stroke ◽  
Ankle Dorsiflexion ◽  
Gait Initiation ◽  
Direct Current Stimulation

Abstract Background Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that has shown promise for rehabilitation after stroke. Ipsilesional anodal tDCS (a-tDCS) over the motor cortex increases corticospinal excitability, while contralesional cathodal tDCS (c-tDCS) restores interhemispheric balance, both resulting in offline improved reaction times of delayed voluntary upper-extremity movements. We aimed to investigate whether tDCS would also have a beneficial effect on delayed leg motor responses after stroke. In addition, we identified whether variability in tDCS effects was associated with the level of leg motor function. Methods In a cross-over design, 13 people with chronic stroke completed three 15-min sessions of anodal, cathodal and sham stimulation over the primary motor cortex on separate days in an order balanced across participants. Directly after stimulation, participants performed a comprehensive set of lower-extremity tasks involving the paretic tibialis anterior (TA): voluntary ankle-dorsiflexion, gait initiation, and backward balance perturbation. For all tasks, TA onset latencies were determined. In addition, leg motor function was determined by the Fugl-Meyer Assessment – leg score (FMA-L). Repeated measures ANOVA was used to reveal tDCS effects on reaction times. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to establish the relation between tDCS effects and leg motor function. Results For all tasks, TA reaction times did not differ across tDCS sessions. For gait initiation and backward balance perturbation, differences between sham and active stimulation (a-tDCS or c-tDCS) did not correlate with leg motor function. Yet, for ankle dorsiflexion, individual reaction time differences between c-tDCS and sham were strongly associated with FMA-L, with more severely impaired patients exhibiting slower paretic reaction times following c-tDCS. Conclusion We found no evidence for offline tDCS-induced benefits. Interestingly, we found that c-tDCS may have unfavorable effects on voluntary control of the paretic leg in severely impaired patients with chronic stroke. This finding points at potential vicarious control from the unaffected hemisphere to the paretic leg. The absence of tDCS-induced effects on gait and balance, two functionally relevant tasks, shows that such motor behavior is inadequately stimulated by currently used tDCS applications. Trial registration The study is registered in the Netherlands Trial Register (NL5684; April 13th, 2016).

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