Effects of Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation With Overground Gait Training on Lower Limb Performance in Individuals With Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

Objective To determine the effects of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with overground gait training on gait performance, dynamic balance, sit-to-stand performance, and quality of life in individuals with incomplete spinal cord injuries (iSCI). Design Double-blind sham-controlled trial with a matched-pair design. Setting Sirindhorn National Medical Rehabilitation Institute, Thailand. Participants Individuals with iSCI (n=34) were allocated to the anodal or sham groups. Intervention Anodal tDCS was administered over the M1 lower-limb motor area at an intensity of 2 mA for 20 min in the anodal group, while the sham group received a 30-s stimulation. Both groups received 40 min of overground gait training after tDCS for 5 consecutive daily sessions. Main Outcome Measures The 10-meter walk test (10MWT) was the primary outcome, while spatiotemporal gait parameters, the timed Up and Go test, Five-Time Sit-to-Stand Test, and World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF were secondary outcomes. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and at 1-month (1M) and 2-month (2M) follow-ups. Result Improvements in walking speed measured using the 10MWT were observed in both groups. However, the anodal group showed a greater improvement than the sham group. For fast speed, the mean between-group differences were 0.10 m/s, 95% CI (0.02 to 0.17) (post-intervention), 0.11 m/s, (0.03 to 0.19) (1M), and 0.11 m/s, (0.03 to 0.20) (2M), while for self-selected speed, the median differences were 0.10 m/s, 95% CI (0.06 to 0.14) (post-intervention) and 0.09 m/s, (0.01 to 0.19) (2M). The anodal group also had a greater stride length difference post-intervention (median difference: 0.07 m, 95% CI (0.01 to 0.14)). No significant between-group differences were found for other outcomes. Conclusion Five-session of anodal tDCS with gait training slightly improved walking speed, sustained for 2 months post-intervention. However, effect on spatiotemporal gait parameters was limited and dynamic balance, functional tasks (ie, sit-to-stand), and quality of life were unaffected compared with overground gait training.