Table 2 Main characteristics and outcomes of the reviewed articles
Article | Pathology; N for the intervention group | Area of application and tDCS parameters (current density; duration) | Number of sessions; intervals | Design | Order of application; control group | Variables | Gait rehabilitation treatment; duration | Effect versus placebo (% difference, p) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Geroin et al., 2011 [23] | Stroke; N = 10. | A = PMI- affected LL, C = SO to-CL; DC: 0,04 mA/cm2; 7 min. | 10 s; 2 weeks. | EV.1 = Pre EV.2 = Post EV.3 = 2 weeks post | ONLINE; Off since the beginning. | 6MWT, 10MWT, BPG, FAC, RMI, MILS, MAS. | Exoskeleton robot; 20 min. | SNS |
Manji et al., 2018 [24] | Stroke; N = 30. (crossover design) | A = 3.5 cm anterior to Cz (SMA), C = EOC; DC: 0.04 mA/cm2; 20 min. | 7 s; 1 week (3-day washout period) | EV.1 = Pre EV.2 = Post | ONLINE; UNK. | 10MWT, TUG, FMA, POMA, TIS. | Exoskeleton-robot; 20 min. | ↓10MWT (9.09%, p = 0.046) and ↓TUG (5.29%, p = 0.026) |
Yotnuengnit et al., 2017 [26] | PD; N = 17. | A = Cz (PMA-LL), C = SOA; DC: 0.06 mA/cm2; 30 min. | 6 s; 2 weeks. | EV.1 = Pre EV.2 = Post EV.3 = 2 weeks post EV.4 = 6 weeks post | OFFLINE; Gradually off after 1 min. | BPG, UPDRS. | Conventional physiotherapy; 30 min. | SNS |
Chang, Kim, & Park., 2015 [18] | Stroke; N = 12 | A = APC of TA (PMA-affected LL), C = SOA-CL; A = 0.28 mA/cm2, C = 0.07 mA/cm2; 10 min. | 10 s; 2 weeks. | EV.1 = pre EV.2 = 1 day post | ONLINE; Off after 15 s. | MEP of TA, BPG, FMA, MILS, FAC, BBS | Conventional physiotherapy; 30 min. | MEPs: ↓Latency (8.61%, p = 0.000) and ↑Width (50.4%, p = 0.048); ↑FMA (6.27%, p = 0.023) and ↑MILS (6.9%, p = 0.031) |
Raithatha et al., 2016 [17] | SCI; N = 9 | A = PMA-LL, C = SOA; A = 0.08 mA/cm2, C = 0.06 mA/cm2; 20 min. | 36 s; 12 weeks. | EV.1 = pre EV.2 = post EV.3 = 4 weeks post | OFFLINE; Off after 30 s. | MMT, 6MWT, 10MWT, TUG, BBS, SCIM-III. | Exoskeleton robot; 1 h. | ↑ MMT right at EV.2 (70.54%, p = 0.03) and EV.3 (91.5%, p = 0.01). MMT left: SNS ↑TUG in control group ↑6MWT in control group |
Seo et al., 2017 [27] | Stroke; N = 9 | A = lateral to CZ (PMI- affected LL), C = SOA-CL; DC: 0.06 mA/cm2; 20 min. | 10 s; 2 weeks. | EV.1 = pre EV.2 = post EV.3 = 4 weeks post | OFFLINE; Off after 1 min. | FAC, 10MWT, 6MWT, BBS, FMA, MRCS, MEP (not in EV3). | Exoskeleton robot; 45 min. | ↑FAC (44.5%, p = 0.031) at EV. 2 and ↑6MWT (60.35%, p = 0.038) at EV.3. |
Costa-Ribeiro et al., 2017 [19] | PD; N = 11. | A = 2 cm anterior to CZ (PMA-LL), C = SOA-CL; CD: 0.06 mA/cm2; 13 min. | 10 s; 4 weeks. | EV.1 = pre EV.2 = post EV.3 = 4 weeks post | OFFLINE; Off after 30 s. | 10MWT, TUG, BPG, UPDRS part III (for motor deterioration), and UPDRS-Brad (bradykinesia), PDQ-39, BBS. | Visual cueing; 30 min. | SNS |
Kumru et al., 2016 [16] | SCI; N = 12. | A = PMA-LL (vertex), C = SOA non-dominant; CD: 0.06 mA/cm2; 20 min. | 20 s; 4 weeks. | EV.1 = pre EV.2 = post EV.3 = 4 weeks post | ONLINE; Off after 30 s. | LEMS (not at EV3), 10MWT, WISCI. | Exoskeleton robot; 30 min. | SNS |