Review Article
Year: 2022 | Month: August | Volume: 12 | Issue: 8 | Pages: 78-88
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20220811
Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Subjects with Lesions of Central Nervous System: A Narrative Review
Dr. Neeti Paragbhai Jariwala1, Dr. Shraddha Jasmin Diwan 2, Dr. Nehal Shah2
1Second Year Master Students in Neurosciences, SBB College of Physiotherapy, Ahmedabad.
2Lecturer, SBB College of Physiotherapy, Ahmedabad.
Corresponding Author:Dr. Neeti Paragbhai Jariwala
ABSTRACT
Background: Among different types of non-invasive brain stimulation techniques, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been widely used to improve various outcome measures in subjects with neurological conditions. It is a neuro- modulatory technique that delivers low intensity, direct current to cortical areas facilitating or inhibiting spontaneous neuronal activity. Several studies have highlighted the therapeutic potential of tDCS in patients with neurological diseases, including dementia, epilepsy, post-stroke dysfunctions, movement disorders, and other pathological conditions.
Introduction: The tDCS stimulating device is a 13 cm×21 cm portable box, with two rubber electrodes applied with conductive gel or water-soaked pads. Typically, the protocol for tDCS utilizes 1-2 mA of continuous current for a duration of 10–20 minutes, with one electrode placed in the region of the motor cortex and the other on the contralateral supraorbital region. The current narrative review was planned to assess efficacy of tDCS while examining the role of specific regions of brain and the understanding of the underlying mechanism for treatment effects of brain stimulation in different neurological conditions involving lesions of Central Nervous System (CNS).
Method: Literature was explored on search engines (google scholar, scihub and pubmed) and databases for articles published from 2018 upto February 1, 2022. The key search phrase, transcranial direct current stimulation, tDCS and neurological conditions was used to identify potentially relevant articles. The following inclusion criteria were applied for article selection: (1) studies that used tDCS to treat neurological conditions (2) studies that rated at a score of 7 or higher according to the PEDro scale.
Results: Many potentially relevant articles were identified. After reading the titles and abstracts and assessing eligibility based on the full-text articles, 47 publications were included in our review. Majority studies showed that the outcome (ADL functions, motor control, pain, memory, speech, epileptic episodes, signs of consciousness, etc) for each condition reviewed were significantly improved.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the addition of tDCS to conventional as well as latest method of treating disorders of central nervous system, led to significant improvement in various variables compared with general physical therapy only.
Key words: Brain stimulation, neurological conditions, transcranial direct current stimulation.