The effect of transcranial direct current stimulation on balance, gait function and quality of life in patients with chronic stroke

of life in stroke patients have not yet been clarified. The aim of our study was to examine the effects of tDAS on balance, gait function and quality of life in patients with chronic stroke. In our study, 28 patients with chronic stroke who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into two groups as intervention and control groups. Patients' balance was evaluated with the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Gait function was evaluated with the 10 Meter Walk Test, exercise capacity with the Six Minute Walk Test (6MWD), lower extremity function with the Fugl Meyer Lower Extremity Scale (FM-AE), and quality of life with the Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QOL). The study was conducted double-blind. Patients in both groups received a task-oriented physiotherapy and rehabilitation program for 4 weeks, 5 days a week, for an average of 1 hour daily. In addition to the task-oriented training program, anodal tDCS was applied to the patients in the intervention group. The practice was performed with a current intensity of 2 mA, 5 days a week, each session for 20 minutes, for a total of 4 weeks. In the control group, tDAS application was performed 5 days a week, each session for 20 minutes, for a total of 4 weeks, and the electrodes were placed in the same way as in the intervention group. However, after the flow was opened for 30 seconds and the patient felt a tingling sensation, it was turned off without the patient noticing. As a result of the study, statistically significant improvement was obtained in balance, gait function and quality of life in both groups (p<0.05). In intergroup differences, the score change in the mobility sub-parameter of the SS-QOL questionnaire was in favor of the intervention group. In all other parameters, similar results were observed between the groups. In conclusion, it is thought that tDAS can be an effective and reliable approach to improve balance, gait function and quality of life when used with task-oriented training. Keywords: Stroke, balance, transcranial direct current, quality of life, gait function