Cognitive Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Plus Robotic Verticalization in Minimally Conscious State

Background and Objectives: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasivetherapeutic method that modulates cortical excitability and shows promising results for treatingdisorders of consciousness (DoCs). Robotic verticalization training (RVT) has been shown to enhancemotor and cognitive recovery. This study evaluates the effects of an innovative approach combiningRVT with tDCS in individuals with DoCs. Methods: Twenty-four subjects with DoCs, particularlythose with chronic minimally conscious state (MCS) due to vascular or traumatic brain injury, partici-pated in a quasi-randomized study at the Neurorehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Neurolesi (Messina, Italy).Participants were divided into either a control group (CG) receiving RVT alone or an experimentalgroup (EG) receiving combined tDCS and RVT. Both groups underwent treatments five times weeklyfor four weeks, with tDCS/sham sessions over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) lasting20 min before Erigo training sessions, which lasted 45 min. Results: The findings indicate that com-bining tDCS with Erigo® Pro RTT could lead to greater improvements in cognitive functioning andP300 latency compared to the CG. Conclusions: These results suggest that the integrated approach oftDCS with RVT could offer significant benefits for patients with MCS, highlighting its potential toenhance cognitive recovery, such as reducing P300 latency (PDF) Cognitive Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Plus Robotic Verticalization in Minimally Conscious State. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/384589839_Cognitive_Effects_of_Transcranial_Direct_Current_Stimulation_Plus_Robotic_Verticalization_in_Minimally_Conscious_State [accessed Oct 08 2024].