Transcranial direct current stimulation for improving ambulation after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Hui-Hsun Tien, Wen-Yu Liu, Yi-Lin Chen and 2 others
PMID 32675686WHAT IT FOUND
Active tDCS improved functional mobility and Timed Up and Go scores after stroke, but did not significantly improve walking speed or endurance compared to sham stimulation.
The benefit was seen in general walking ability measures rather than specific gait velocity or distance.
Key findings
01Active tDCS did not significantly improve walking speed or walking endurance compared to sham tDCS.
02Active tDCS showed significant beneficial effects on Functional Ambulation Category, Rivermead Mobility Index, and Timed Up and Go test.
03Subgroup analysis indicated significant effects of anodal tDCS on Functional Ambulation Category and dual-hemispheric tDCS on Timed Up and Go.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
Two included studies were excluded from the meta-analysis because authors did not provide data, reducing the sample size. Subgroup analyses for specific tDCS modes (anodal vs. dual-hemispheric) were based on very few trials, limiting the certainty of these specific findings. Some included studies assessed immediate effects after a single session, while others used multiple sessions, making it difficult to distinguish short-term from long-term benefits. The review only included studies published in English or Chinese, potentially missing relevant research from other languages.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume tDCS improves walking speed or endurance. The meta-analysis found no significant difference between active and sham stimulation for these primary outcomes, with benefits limited to broader functional mobility measures.