Unlocking trunk potential after stroke: a novel approach combining transcranial direct current stimulation and core stability exercise: a randomized controlled trial.

Participants and treating therapists were not blinded to the intervention because there was no sham stimulation control, which may have influenced performance or reporting. The study did not include a group receiving no treatment or standard care only, so it is unclear how much of the benefit is due to the specific combination versus just the exercises. Follow-up was only immediate after the 12-week intervention, so it is unknown if the gains in balance and independence were sustained over time. The sample size was relatively small (60 participants), and all were recruited from a single outpatient clinic, which may limit generalizability.

The study was funded by Beni Suef University. The authors declared no other conflicts of interest.

Do not assume tDCS alone is effective or that these results apply to patients with more severe disability. All participants could walk independently for at least 10 meters and had mild spasticity, so the benefits seen here may not extend to non-ambulatory patients or those with severe motor impairments.