Mechanized Gait Trainer Combine Transcranial Galvanic Stimulation (tDCS) in Chronic Stroke
Mechanized Gait Trainer Combine Transcranial Galvanic Stimulation (tDCS) in Chronic Stroke
Transcranial galvanic stimulation (tDCS), seems to promote motor recovery after stroke by
 stimulating (anodal) or inhibiting (cathodal) neural circuits in the brain. In the treatment
 of severe lower limb paresis after stroke, the GangTrainer GT1 (GT) proved to be effective,
 but nevertheless only a few patients could use their affect lower limb functionally in daily
 life on deambulation after robot training. Therefore the present study intends to combine
 both approaches, tDCS + GT, apply at the same time every day for two weeks in order to
 improve the effectiveness of GangTrainer therapy in the gait rehabilitation.
Transcranial galvanic stimulation (tDCS), seems to promote motor recovery after stroke by
 stimulating (anodal) or inhibiting (cathodal) neural circuits in the brain. In the treatment
 of severe lower limb paresis after stroke, the GangTrainer GT1 (GT) proved to be effective.
 Therefore the present study intends to combine both approaches, tDCS + GT, apply at the same
 time every day for two weeks in order to improve the effectiveness of GangTrainer therapy in
 the gait rehabilitation. The rehabilitation programme are compose 3 kinds of locomotor
 training interventions (experimental group, control group 1 and control group 2).

 During intervention experimental group, patients receive a total of 10 treatments of
 repetitive locomotor training with electromechanical gait device (duration 30 min) + tDCS
 (duration first 7 min) with the anodal electrode is place over the presumed lower limb area
 of the lesioned hemisphere, and the cathodal electrode is place above the controlateral
 orbital. The anodal stimulation is expected to facilitate the activity of the lower limb
 motor area side directly, while the cathodal stimulation of the non-lesioned hemisphere is
 expected to facilitate the lesioned side indirectly by decreasing inhibitory inputs. The
 control group 1 receive a total of 10 treatments with only GT (duration 30 min) with
 sham-stimulation, and the control group 2 receive a total of 10 treatments with convectional
 physiotherapy
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  European Stroke scale between 75-85

 -  First time supratentorial, ischaemic or hemorrhagic stroke.

 -  Diagnosis of ischemic brain injury or intracerebral hemorrhage by MRI or computed
 tomography > 6 months after the onset of stroke.

 -  Age < 80 years.

 -  Ability to stand upright, supported or unsupported, for 1 minute.

 -  Patients with ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke.

 -  In-patient participating in a comprehensive rehabilitation programme.

 -  patients written informed consent of participation in the study approved by the local
 ethical committee.

 -  absence of cardiac, psychological and orthopedic conditions that might interfere with
 the result.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Preceding epileptic fits.

 -  an EEG suspect of elevated cortical excitability.

 -  a sensitive scalp skin.

 -  severe cognitive impairment.

 -  metallic implants within the brain.

 -  previous brain neurosurgery.

 -  medications altering the level of cortical excitability

 -  medications with a presumed positive or negative effect on brain plasticity.