• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.65-71
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• 2009

Purpose: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a useful method for modulating the brain activity. This study compared the effect of continuous and interrupted tDCS using the change in the movement related cortical potential. Methods: Thirty healthy participants (male: 18 and female: 12) were assigned randomly to three groups; sham tDCS, continuous tDCS, which the current continuously flowed for 10 minutes, and interrupted tDCS, which the interrupted current flowed for 10 minutes (repetition: 4sec stimulation and 5sec rest) at an intensity of 1mA with anodal polarity. The effect of tDCS on the right primary motor area was measured from the movement related cortical potential (MRCP) before and after the experiment. MRCP consisted of the bereitshaftspotential (BP) and negative slope potential (NS) at Cz and C4. Results: Continuous and interrupted tDCS showed a significant difference in the changes in the BP, NS at Cz and C4 compared to the sham tDCS. However, there was no significant difference between the continuous tDCS and interrupted tDCS. Conclusion: The change in cortical activity by continuous and interrupted tDCS results from an improvement in the MRCP. An interrupted tDCS may be a safe and useful modality for stimulating the cortical region.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.11-20
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• 2020

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to research the effects of dual-hemisphere transcranial direct current stimulation (dual tDCS) and modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT) to improve upper extremity motor function after stroke. Methods : The study period was from August 2019 to November 2019, and included 24 patients who met the selection criteria. Participants were divided into 2 groups: dual tDCS and mCIMT, and sham dual tDCS and mCIMT group. Dual tDCS and mCIMT group performed mCIMT immediately after applying dual tDCS for 20 minutes, and sham dual tDCS and mCIMT group performed mCIMT immediately after applying sham tDCS for 20 minutes without turning on the power source. Total interventions were conducted 5 times per week for 4 weeks, and mCIMT was conducted for 30 minutes per session for both experimental and control groups. Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) and Motor Activity Log scale (MAL) were analyzed before and after 4 weeks of intervention. Results : Both experimental and control groups showed significant changes in FMA, Amount of Use (AOU), and Quality of Movement (QOM) of MAL. When the differences between groups was compared using ANCOVA, the experimental group showed a greater improvement in FMA and AOU of MAL than the control group. Conclusion : In order to enhance the effect of improving upper limb function of stroke patients, dual tDCS could be applied to provide more effective treatment in the clinical setting. Further studies will be needed in larger groups of stroke patients, including long-term follow-up, and multi-group comparisons through the establishment of anodal tDCS and mCIMT, cathodal tDCS, and mCIMT groups to clarify the effects of dual tDCS. In addition, research is needed to establish a protocol for tDCS, and this evidence-based intervention protocol is expected to be used in the clinical setting as an interventional method for various purposes.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2013

Purpose : This study was to identify the effect of cognitive reaction following inactive electrode placement when applying anodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the primary motor cortex. Methods : For this study a total of 28 stroke patients participated. Before applying transcranial direct current stimulation, cognitive reaction was measured (P300 of event related potential, cognitive reaction time), and subjects were randomly assigned to two group. Transcranial direct current stimulation was applied to the scalp with an intensity of $0.04mA/cm^2$ for 15 minutes. All subjects were given an anode transcranial direct current stimulation over the primary motor area and inactive electrodes over the deltoid muscle (group I) and supra-orbital area (group II). Cognitive reactions were measured after applying transcranial direct current stimulation. Results : For this study a total of 28 stroke patients participated. Before applying transcranial direct current stimulation, cognitive reaction was measured (P300 of event related potential, cognitive reaction time), and subjects were randomly assigned to two group. Transcranial direct current stimulation was applied to the scalp with an intensity of $0.04mA/cm^2$ for 15 minutes. All subjects were given an anode transcranial direct current stimulation over the primary motor area and inactive electrodes over the deltoid muscle (group I) and supra-orbital area (group II). Cognitive reactions were measured after applying transcranial direct current stimulation. Conclusion : Thus transcranial direct current stimulation on the primary motor area may help cognitive reaction regardless of inactive electrode placement.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2019

Purpose : This study assessed the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on balance, fall efficacy, and fall-related fitness in stroke patients, using a cohort of 30 stroke patients divided into two groups. Methods : The experimental group (was given transcranial direct current stimulation in a virtual reality program) and the control group was given false tDCS in virtual reality. there were 15 patients in each group, receiving appropriate treatment over 30 sessions (30 minutes per session per week over a six-week period). In order to assess the change in balance before and after the intervention, the Berg Balance scale was utilized. Fall efficacy was evaluated using the Korean Falls Efficacy Scale for the Elderly (FES-K), The following exercises were performed by patients to assess fall-related fitness : sitting down in a chair and standing up : walking a 244 cm round= trip, and standing on one foot. Results : After the intervention, the experimental group exhibited significantly increased fall efficacy and fall-related fitness, while the control group exhibited no change. These findings suggest that tDCS has positive effects on balance, fall efficacy, and fall-related fitness in stroke patients. Conclusion : Using tDCS as an intervention would bring positive effects on balance, fall efficacy, and fall-related fitness in stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.159-169
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to provide an effective method of exercise therapy for patients with cervicogenic headache. Methods: The subjects were divided into the following three groups according to the intervention received: cervix-stabilizing exercise (n=12, group 1), transcranial direct current stimulation (n=12, group 2), and cervix-stabilizing exercise combined with transcranial direct current stimulation (n=12, group 3). The intragroup and intergroup differences in muscle characteristics and neck disability index were compared and analyzed. Results: The comparison and analysis of the changes in muscle tone and post hoc analysis revealed statistically significant intragroup decreases in the upper trapezius and suboccipitals in groups I and III, and statistically significant intergroup differences in the upper trapezius, with greater changes in group III than in group II, and in the suboccipitals, with greater changes in groupIII than in groups Iand II. The comparison and analysis of the change in muscle stiffness and post hoc analysis revealed a statistically significanti ntra group decrease in the upper trapezius in group Iand suboccipitals in group III, and a statistically significant intergroup difference in both muscles, with greater change in group III than in group II. The comparison and analysis of change in neck disability index and post hoc analysis revealed a statistically significant intragroup decrease in all the three groups and a statistically significant intergroup difference, with greater change in group III than in groups I and II. Conclusion: The neck-stabilizing exercise and transcranial direct current stimulation were shown to be effective in decreasing the tone of the cervical muscles by stabilizing the cervical bone and improving muscle durability, and in improving the movement and limitation of joint range of motion by decreasing muscle tone and stiffness.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.201-210
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• 2021

Purpose : There is a lack of research on this field in the Republic of Korea, especially those that have seen the effect of interaction between transcranial direct current stimulation and computerized cognitive rehabilitation therapy. This study divided 30 dementia patients into a treatment group, which received transcranial direct current stimulation and computerized cognitive rehabilitation, and a control group, which received pseudo-transcranial direct current stimulation and pseudo-computerized cognitive rehabilitation. This study evaluated the effects of these treatments on the visual perception, cognition functions, and daily activities of dementia patients. Methods : Fifteen subjects were allocated to the treatment group and the other 15 subjects were allocated to the control group. Treatments were given at intervals of five sessions per week (30 minutes per session) for six weeks (30 times in total). This study used the Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination (NCSE) to examine cognitive functions, MVPT to evaluate visual perception, and FIM to test daily living activities before and after applying the treatments. Results : The results of this study showed that cognitive functions, visual perception, and daily living activities significantly (p<.05) improved after the intervention in the treatment group and the control group. The changes in cognitive functions, visual perception, and daily living activities due to the treatments were significantly different between the groups (p<.05). Conclusion : The results indicated that transcranial direct current stimulation and computerized cognitive rehabilitation therapy improved visual perception and daily living activities by increasing cognitive functions. Consequently, it was found that the simultaneous application of transcranial direct current stimulation in conjunction with a computerized cognitive rehabilitation program was an intervention method that could positively affect the visual perception, cognitive function, and daily living activities of dementia patients. Based on the results of this study, the study of arbitration protocols for demential will have to be more active.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.9-19
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• 2013

Purpose : Study on the effects of attention(working memory) for normal adults by applying transcranial Direct Current Stimulation(tDCS). Methods : There are two groups of 10 random people aged between 20 to 30, one is an experimental group(stimulation) and the other is a comparison group(simulate stimulation). For the 1st da y, pre-stimulation test is executed, and for the 2nd day to the 4th day, tDCS is applied stimulated both on the right prefrontal lobe and the left occipital lobe through the electrode. The stimulation lasts for 15 minutes with voltage power of 1mA for each day. The post-stimulation test is executed on the day of 5th. In this paper, a FAIR attention test is used for measuring the attention. Results : As the result of the experiment, there are significant gaps both on the value of P, the ability of selective attention, and the value of C, the consistent ability after the stimulation on right prefrontal and left occipital lobe. And there is no significant gap on the value Q, the quality(Control). However, all the P, Q, and C values are increased according to the average value between the pre-stimulation test and the post-stimulation. Conclusion : Finally, ability of selective attention and self-control, and consistent attention is progressed by applying the tDCS to the normal people.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.213-221
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• 2020

Purpose : This study aimed to evaluate the changes in visual perception and daily life activities after simultaneously applying the visual perception training program and transcranial DC stimulation. Particularly, this study tried to understand what changes in abilities among daily life activities influenced cognition. Methods : This study selected 50 dementia patients to achieve the objective. This study applied transcranial DC stimulation and a visual perception training program to a treatment group (n=25) and a visual perception training program to a control group (n=25). The intervention was applied five times per week and 30 minutes per session (total of 30 intervention sessions). This study measured visual perception functions and daily life activities using MVPT and FIM before and after applying the intervention. Results : The visual perception, mobility of daily life activities, cognition, and total score of the treatment group (n=25), which received the visual perception training program and transcranial DC at the same time, were significantly (p<.05) different between before and after the intervention. Moreover, when the visual perception and daily life activities of the treatment group and those of the control group after implementing the intervention were compared, they were significantly (p<.05) different between the two groups. Conclusion : The results of this study showed that the simultaneous application of the visual perception training program and transcranial DC stimulation was an effective means to enhance the visual perception and daily life activities of dementia patients. The results implied that transcranial DC stimulation, as well as the application of visual perception training program, as well as a visual perception training program, was effective for improving the visual perception functions and daily life activities dementia patients and simultaneous application of the two interventions would increase the effect even further.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.155-164
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• 2021

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation and virtual reality program application on cognition and depression of patients with mild cognitive impairment, and to find an intervention method that can enhance active participation of patients with mild cognitive impairment. Methods : In this study, 50 mild cognitive impairment patients were divided into a treatment group (25 patients) and a control group (25 patients). The treatment group was applied with a transcranial direct current stimulation and a virtual reality program, while the control group received a placebo transcranial direct current stimulation and a virtual reality program. Both groups received five 50-minute sessions per week (one session per day) for six weeks (total of 30 sessions). NCSE was used to evaluate the cognitive functions of the patients before and after treatment intervention. Moreover, K-BDI was conducted to examine the depression of the patients. Results : As a result of the transcranial direct current stimulation and a virtual reality program intervention, the cognitive function of both treatment and control group significantly (p<.05) improved, and the depression of both treatment and control group significantly (p<.05) decreased. Moreover, the changes in cognitive functions and depression were significant between the two groups¸ treatment and control group (p<.05). Conclusion : The results of the study showed that the application of the transcranial direct current stimulation and virtual reality program significantly improved the cognitive function of mild cognitive impairment patients and decreased the depression of them. Therefore, it could be concluded that the transcranial direct current stimulation and virtual reality program was an intervention method which positively affects the cognitive function and depression of mild cognitive impairment patients.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.105-113
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of non-invasive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on muscle activity, including 10 m WT, TUG, and BBS, in hemiplegic stroke patients. Methods: This study was conducted on 42 inpatients diagnosed with hemiplegia due to stroke at hospital B in Daejeon for more than 6 months. Walking training was conducted for six weeks, five times a week for 30 minutes, with a general walking group (14 people), tDCS walking group (14 people), and tDCS (sham) walking group (14 people). Results: As a result of the study, the change in the muscle activity before and after tDCS intervention was significantly increased in the tibialis anterior muscle in the CG group. In the EG group, the erector spine (lumbar), rectus femoris, and tibialis anterior muscles significantly increased. In the SEG group, significant increases were observed in the rectus femoris and tibialis anterior muscles. Significant differences were found in the rectus femoris and tibialis anterior muscles in the comparison between groups after intervention according to tDCS application. Also, 10 m WT, TUG, and BBS were significantly increased in the CG, EG, and SEG groups after intervention, and there were significant differences in 10 m WT, TUG, and BBS in comparison between groups after intervention according to tDCS application. Conclusion: As a result, tDCS is an effective in improving the walking ability of stroke patients, and in particular, it effectively increases the muscle activity of the rectus femoris and tibialis anterior muscles, which act directly on walking, and also improves the speed and stability of walking. It is considered being an effective method to increase the gait of stroke patients by combining it with the existing gait training.