Effect of multichannel transcranial direct current stimulation to reduce hypertonia in individuals with prolonged disorders of consciousness: A randomized controlled pilot study.

摘要: Abstract Background Spasticity management in severely brain-injured patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC) is a major challenge because it leads to complications and severe pain that can seriously affect quality life. Objectives We aimed determine the feasibility single session transcranial direct current stimulations (tDCS) reduce spasticity chronic DOC. Methods enrolled 14 this double-blind, sham-controlled randomized crossover pilot study. Two cathodes were placed over left right primary motor cortex 2 anodes prefrontal cortex. Hypertonia upper limbs level assessed by Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R). Resting state electroencephalography was also performed. Results At group level, reduced only finger flexors. Four responders (29%) showed hypertonicity at least joints after active but not sham stimulation. found no behavioural changes CRS-R total score. connectivity values beta2 higher versus Relative power theta band beta for than non-responders Conclusion This study highlights potential benefit using tDCS reducing upper-limb hypertonia Large-sample clinical trials are needed optimize validate technique.