A Study of tDCS for Swallowing Difficulties in Stroke Patients

Improvement of Swallowing Function of Stroke Patients by Dual Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation(tDCS)

The primary objective of this study is to investigate whether the dual transcranial direct current stimulation(tDCS) improves the swallowing function of stroke patients.

120 patients were recruited and randomized to receive either real or sham-tDCS. Real experimental groups were divided into three types; Anode-Anode dual stimulation group, Anode-Cathode dual stimulation group, Single stimulation group. 20-minutes session of the stimulation were applied 5 times a weeks for 2 weeks at pharyngeal motor cortex of affected or non-affected site. The patients were evaluated at baseline, immediately and 2 weeks after tDCS.

Inclusion Criteria

• Subjects who have diagnosed as primary stroke by physician's physical exam or radiologic diagnosis
• Subjects who have cortical or subcortical brain lesion
• Subjects who was diagnosed as stroke within 6 months
• Subjects ages from 18years to 80years old
• Subjects who have less than 5 points of DOSS score due to swallowing difficulty from CNS injury
• Subjects who is possible to receive swallowing function intervention 5 days a week
• Subjects who understand the purpose of the study and acquired the consent of the patient or caregiver
• Subjects who had no effect from brain stimulation or electrical stimulation therapy

Exclusion Criteria

• Subjects who have pre-existing and active major neurological disease
• Subjects who have pre-existing and active major psychiatric disease, such as major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disease, or dementia
• Subjects who have brain lesion except cortex or subcortex area
• Subjects who have any metal component after brain surgery, low threshold to pain, history of seizure
• Subjects who is estimated as not appropriate for the study by the investigators