title: Effects of brain polarization on reaction times and pinch force in chronic stroke.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous studies showed that anodal transcranial DC stimulation (tDCS) applied to the primary motor cortex of the affected hemisphere (M1affected hemisphere) after subcortical stroke transiently improves performance of complex tasks that mimic activities of daily living (ADL). It is not known if relatively simpler motor tasks are similarly affected. Here we tested the effects of tDCS on pinch force (PF) and simple reaction time (RT) tasks in patients with chronic stroke in a double-blind cross-over Sham-controlled experimental design.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Anodal tDCS shortened reaction times and improved pinch force in the paretic hand relative to Sham stimulation, an effect present in patients with higher impairment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  tDCS of M1affected hemisphere can modulate performance of motor tasks simpler than those previously studied, a finding that could potentially benefit patients with relatively higher impairment levels.
authors.affiliation: Human Cortical Physiology Section and Stroke Neurorehabilitation Clinic, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. f.hummel@uke.uni-hamburg.de <f.hummel@uke.uni-hamburg.de>
authors.forename: Friedhelm C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Hummel
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Voller
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Celnik
authors.forename: Agnes
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Floel
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Giraux
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gerloff
authors.forename: Leonardo G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D052581:Pinch Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology*; D020521:Stroke / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation