Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Combined with Treadmill Training on Kinematics and Spatiotemporal Gait Variables in Stroke Survivors: A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Sham-Controlled Study

The present study assessed the effects of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation
(tDCS) combined with treadmill training on spatiotemporal and kinematic variables in stroke survivors
using gait speed as the primary outcome. A randomized, sham-controlled, triple-blind, study
was conducted involving 28 patients with hemiparesis allocated to two groups. The experimental
group was submitted to treadmill training combined with anodal tDCS over the primary motor
cortex (M1) of the damaged hemisphere. The control group was submitted to treadmill training
combined with sham tDCS. Stimulation was administered (2 mA, 20 min) five times a week for
two weeks during treadmill training. No significant differences (p > 0.05) in spatiotemporal variables
were found in the intra-group and inter-group analyses. However, the experimental group demonstrated
improvements in kinematic variables of the knee and ankle (p < 0.05) and these results were
maintained one month after the end of the intervention. The inter-group analysis revealed significant
differences (p < 0.05) with regard to the pelvis, hip and knee. Anodal tDCS over M1 of the damaged
hemisphere combined with treadmill training did not affect spatiotemporal variables, but promoted
improvements in kinematic variables of the pelvis, hip, knee and ankle and results were maintained
one month after treatment.