Effects of the Transcranial Electric Stimulation on the unilateral spatial neglect syndrome after stroke

• Grant number: 15/25891-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2016
• End date: April 30, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Rodrigo Bazan
• Grantee: Gabriela Rizzo Soares Rizzatti
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FMB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of Transcranial direct current stimulation (EETCD) on unilateral spatial neglect syndrome (USN) after stroke of the right hemisphere, confirmed by neuroimaging exams. The individuals will be evaluated initially for diagnostic confirmation of USN via tests of double sensorial stimulation, lines and stars cancellation, and line bisection test. After diagnostic confirmation, the patients with USN will be randomized into two groups: 1 treatment with EETCD (40 patients)~ 2 control (sham 10 patients). Treatment with EETCD would be by anodic and stimulation, on the right and on left, respectively, with 10 patients in each subgroup. The treatment protocol will be applied for 15 sessions, 3 times per week, for 5 weeks, with the patient being evaluated before the beginning of the first session and 1 week after the final session, by a blinded evaluator. Primary outcome: degree of unilateral spatial negligect evaluated by specific tests. Secondary outcome: degree of functional incapacity, autonomy and quality of life, evaluated by specific scales. Statistical analysis will be performed starting with multiple logistic regression for the primary and secondary outcomes adjusted for age, modified Rankin scale and baseline USN score. The statistical analysis will be performed by the software SPSS 15.0 with values of p<0.05 considered statistically significant.