The effects of non-invasive brain stimulation: transcranial direct current stimulation on rehabilitation after 24-hour wrist immobilization, evaluated by muscle strength and corticospinal excitability - a randomized sham-controlled trial
Author
Larsen-Ledet, Bo
Term
4. term
Publication year
2026
Submitted on
2026-05-29
Abstract
Distal radius fractures are common, and the immobilization required during treatment can lead to loss of muscle strength and changes in how the nervous system activates muscle. This randomized, single-blind, sham-controlled study tested whether a single 20-minute session of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS, 1 mA) delivered before 24 hours of dominant right-hand immobilization in healthy young adults could mitigate short-term declines in muscle strength and corticospinal excitability. Fifteen participants were enrolled, and 11 were included in per-protocol analyses (active tDCS: n=6; sham: n=5). The primary outcome was maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), and the secondary outcome was motor evoked potentials (MEP) recorded from the extensor carpi radialis, analyzed with repeated-measures ANOVA from baseline to 24 hours post-immobilization. No significant differences between active tDCS and sham were observed for MVC or MEP, and the 24-hour immobilization did not itself produce significant changes in these measures. These findings suggest that a single low-intensity tDCS session prior to brief immobilization does not alter muscle strength or corticospinal excitability in this model. The study demonstrates feasibility and supports larger trials with greater statistical power, longer immobilization, and/or higher tDCS intensity.
Distale radiusfrakturer er hyppige, og den nødvendige immobilisering under behandlingsforløbet kan medføre tab af muskelstyrke og ændringer i nervesystemets aktivering af muskler. Denne randomiserede, enkeltblindede, sham-kontrollerede undersøgelse afprøvede, om en enkelt 20-minutters session med anodal transkraniel jævnstrømsstimulation (tDCS, 1 mA) givet før 24 timers immobilisering af den højredominante hånd hos raske unge voksne kunne modvirke kortvarige fald i muskelstyrke og kortikospinal excitabilitet. I alt blev 15 inkluderet, og 11 deltog i per-protokol analyser (aktiv tDCS: n=6; sham: n=5). Primært udfald var maksimal frivillig muskelkontraktion (MVC), og sekundært motorisk evokerede potentialer (MEP) målt fra extensor carpi radialis, analyseret med gentagne målings ANOVA fra baseline til 24 timer efter immobilisering. Der sås ingen signifikante forskelle mellem aktiv tDCS og sham for hverken MVC eller MEP, og immobilisering over 24 timer gav heller ikke signifikante ændringer i disse mål. Resultaterne tyder på, at enkeltstående lavintens tDCS før kortvarig immobilisering ikke ændrer muskelstyrke eller corticospinal excitabilitet i denne model. Studiet demonstrerer dog gennemførlighed og peger på behovet for større forsøg med højere statistisk styrke, længere immobiliseringsperiode og/eller højere tDCS-intensitet.
[This apstract has been generated with the help of AI directly from the project full text]