EFFECT OF ANODAL TRANSCRANIAL DIRECT CURRENT STIMULATION ON NAMING IN APHASIC PATIENTS WITH ACUTE ISCHEMIC STROKE

EFFECT OF ANODAL TRANSCRANIAL DIRECT CURRENT STIMULATION ON NAMING IN APHASIC PATIENTS WITH ACUTE ISCHEMIC STROKE

The use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for the management of deficits developed in stroke is a relatively new type of management option. Many of the studies performed using tDCS have focused on improvements noted in hemiplegia as compared to aphasia, which is an equally disabling outcome of strokes. The results of these studies have not been conclusive and concordant with each other.

In aphasia management, the majority of the studies have focused on chronic strokes. Since the use of tDCS is relatively new, the studies have not focused on a particular type of deficit or stroke. Very few studies have focused on the impact of solely using tDCS. Very few studies have focused on acute to subacute strokes. The results of the studies have, nevertheless, been encouraging.

Improvements in aspects of language tested after a single session of tDCS are short-lived. There is an unmet need to probe the utility of repetitive tDCS on aspects of language function in patients who are aphasic due to acute stroke. There is also a paucity of data in the Indian scenario regarding the same.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aphasic patients with left middle cerebral artery territory Acute Ischemic Stroke
• Patients between 18-65 years of age.
• Within 5 days of onset of stroke.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with malignant Middle Cerebral Artery territory infarcts and previous clinical history of cerebral hemisphere stroke.
• Patients with history of previous brain surgery or skull defect due to surgery e.g. craniectomy.
• Patients with epilepsy.
• Patients with history of significant head trauma in the last 1 month.
• Patients with documented history of major depression prior to stroke.
• Patients with alcohol/drug abuse in the past 6 months.
• Patients with prior significant cognitive impairment.
• Pacemaker in situ, cochlear implant in situ.
• Pregnancy.