Noninvasive Dual-mode Stimulation Therapy for Neurorehabilitation in Post-stroke Cognitive Impairment

Investigation for Individualized Noninvasive Neuromodulation in Neurorehabilitation of Brain Disease: Longitudinal Study

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) or transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been used for the modulation of post-stroke cognitive impairment patients' cognitive function by altering the cortical excitability.

Recently, more challenging approaches, such as stimulation of two or more sites or use of dual modality have been studied in stroke patients. In this study, simultaneous stimulation using both facilitatory rTMS (10Hz) and anodal or cathodal tDCS (dual-mode stimulation) over bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortices (DLPFCs) was investigated to compare its modulatory effects with single facilitatory rTMS stimulation in post-stroke cognitive impairment patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• First-ever stroke patients
• Subacute stage (less than 4 weeks)
• Who can perform the 2-back verbal and non-verbal working memory task

Exclusion Criteria:

• K-MMSE score under 9
• Major active neurological disease or psychiatric disease
• A history of seizure
• Metallic implants in their brain