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Review
. 2019 Jul 17;16(1):90.
doi: 10.1186/s12984-019-0561-5.

Searching for the optimal tDCS target for motor rehabilitation

Isadora Santos Ferreira  1 , Beatriz Teixeira Costa  1 , Clara Lima Ramos  1 , Pedro Lucena  1 , Aurore Thibaut  2 , Felipe Fregni  3
Affiliations
Review

Searching for the optimal tDCS target for motor rehabilitation

Isadora Santos Ferreira et al. J Neuroeng Rehabil. .

Abstract

Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been investigated over the years due to its short and also long-term effects on cortical excitability and neuroplasticity. Although its mechanisms to improve motor function are not fully understood, this technique has been suggested as an alternative therapeutic method for motor rehabilitation, especially those with motor function deficits. When applied to the primary motor cortex, tDCS has shown to improve motor function in healthy individuals, as well as in patients with neurological disorders. Based on its potential effects on motor recovery, identifying optimal targets for tDCS stimulation is essential to improve knowledge regarding neuromodulation as well as to advance the use of tDCS in clinical motor rehabilitation.

Methods and results: Therefore, this review discusses the existing evidence on the application of four different tDCS montages to promote and enhance motor rehabilitation: (1) anodal ipsilesional and cathodal contralesional primary motor cortex tDCS, (2) combination of central tDCS and peripheral electrical stimulation, (3) prefrontal tDCS montage and (4) cerebellar tDCS stimulation. Although there is a significant amount of data testing primary motor cortex tDCS for motor recovery, other targets and strategies have not been sufficiently tested. This review then presents the potential mechanisms and available evidence of these other tDCS strategies to promote motor recovery.

Conclusions: In spite of the large amount of data showing that tDCS is a promising adjuvant tool for motor rehabilitation, the diversity of parameters, associated with different characteristics of the clinical populations, has generated studies with heterogeneous methodologies and controversial results. The ideal montage for motor rehabilitation should be based on a patient-tailored approach that takes into account aspects related to the safety of the technique and the quality of the available evidence.

Keywords: Motor rehabilitation; Non-invasive brain stimulation; Pain modulation; Transcranial direct current stimulation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have nothing to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Motor cortex stimulation in a scenario where the left hemisphere was lesioned. Figure a Anodal stimulation of left primary motor cortex: anode over the left M1 and cathode over the right supraorbital region. Figure b Cathodal stimulation of right primary motor cortex: cathode over the right M1 and anode over the left supraorbital region. Figure c Bilateral stimulation: anode over the affected hemisphere (left) and cathode over the non-affected hemisphere (right)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Left median nerve stimulation combined with tDCS. Anodal stimulation of the right motor cortex (C4) with the reference electrode over the contralateral supraorbital region
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Anodal stimulation of left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Figure a: reference electrode positioned over the contralateral supraorbital region. Figure b: reference electrode positioned over the right DLPFC
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Bilateral cerebellar hemispheres stimulation. The active electrode is placed 1 to 2 cm below the inion. Figure a: anodal stimulation of the cerebellum with the reference electrode placed over the right shoulder. Figure b: anodal stimulation of the cerebellum with the reference electrode placed over buccinator muscle. Figure c. anodal stimulation of cerebellum and reference electrode over Cz
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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