title: A meta-analysis of the efficacy of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation for upper limb motor recovery in stroke survivors.
abstract: METHODS
  Systematic review and meta-analysis.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Prior reviews on the effects of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) have shown the effectiveness of a-tDCS on corticomotor excitability and motor function in healthy individuals but nonsignificant effect in subjects with stroke.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To summarize and evaluate the evidence for the efficacy of a-tDCS in the treatment of upper limb motor impairment after stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that compared a-tDCS with placebo and change from baseline.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A pooled analysis showed a significant increase in scores in favor of a-tDCS (standard mean difference [SMD]=0.40, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.10-0.70, p=0.010, compared with baseline). A similar effect was observed between a-tDCS and sham (SMD=0.49, 95% CI=0.18-0.81, p=0.005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This meta-analysis of eight randomized placebo-controlled trials provides further evidence that a-tDCS may benefit motor function of the paretic upper limb in patients suffering from chronic stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level 1a.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, School of Nursing and Health Professions, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, USA. andrewbutler@gsu.edu
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Butler
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shuster
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: O'Hara
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hurley
authors.forename: Dionne
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Middlebrooks
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Guilkey
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D010291:Paresis / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D018570:Risk Assessment; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D017741:Survivors; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology