Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation associated with Physiotherapeutic Rehabilitation in Patients with Neurological Sequelae

Introduction: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is an innovative approachfor the treatment of neurological injuries. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the benefits of combining physiotherapeutic intervention with tDCSto improve functionality, balance, and pain levelsin patients with neurological sequelae. Methodology: Thisoriginal, experimental study includednine patients with neurological sequelae: two with adult ataxic cerebral palsy, four with stroke sequelae, two with spinal cord injury sequelae, and one with cerebral palsy. The participants underwent 8 to 20 tDCS sessions combined with functional training and physiotherapeutic rehabilitation to improve motor function, balance, motor coordination, and pain management. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included the Timed Up and Go test, the Fulg-Meyer scale for the upper limbs, and the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain. Statistical analysis was performed using Student’s t-test, with a significance level of p = 0.05, using GraphPad Prism 8. Results: The results showedsignificant benefits, including improved upper limb function in patients with stroke sequelae, reduced pain in patients with spinal cord injury, improved balance in patients with Parkinson’s disease, and enhanced motor coordination in patients with ataxic cerebral palsy. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that tDCS,when combined with physiotherapeutic intervention,is effective in improving function, balance, motor coordination, and reducing pain in patients with neurological sequelae.