title: Single session of transcranial direct current stimulation transiently increases knee extensor force in patients with hemiparetic stroke.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the motor cortex can enhance the performance of a paretic upper extremity after stroke. Reported effects on lower limb (LL) function are sparse.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The authors examined whether tDCS can increase the force production of the paretic quadriceps.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this double-blind, crossover, sham-controlled experimental design, 8 participants with chronic subcortical stroke performed knee extension using their hemiparetic leg before, during, and after anodal or sham tDCS of the LL motor cortex representation in the affected hemisphere. Affected hand-grip force was also recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The maximal knee-extension force increased by 21 N (13.2%, P < .01) during anodal tDCS compared with baseline and sham stimulation. The increase persisted less than 30 minutes. Maximal hand-grip force did not change.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Anodal tDCS transiently enhanced knee extensor strength. The modest increase was specific to the LL. Thus, tDCS might augment the rehabilitation of stroke patients when combined with lower extremity strengthening or functional training.
authors: Division of Cerebral Integration, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan. satoshi@nips.ac.jp
authors: Satoshi
authors: S
authors: Tanaka
authors: Kotaro
authors: K
authors: Takeda
authors: Yohei
authors: Y
authors: Otaka
authors: Kahori
authors: K
authors: Kita
authors: Rieko
authors: R
authors: Osu
authors: Manabu
authors: M
authors: Honda
authors: Norihiro
authors: N
authors: Sadato
authors: Takashi
authors: T
authors: Hanakawa
authors: Katsumi
authors: K
authors: Watanabe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010291:Paresis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D052097:Quadriceps Muscle / Q000503:physiopathology; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D013997:Time Factors; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / Q000379:methods