Efeitos da aplicação de estimulação transcraniana por corrente contínua e interface cérebro-computador na atividade cerebral e função física de membros inferiores de pacientes pós-AVC

Abstract

Restoring motor function after a stroke is complex, involving neuroplasticity, spontaneous recovery, and therapeutic interventions. Despite advances in motor rehabilitation for post-stroke patients, gaps remain, especially for chronic patients. This research aims to evaluate the functional evolution of a subject who suffered a stroke after applying a protocol that combines transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) with a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) based on Motor Imagery (MI), also integrating Virtual Reality (VR) and a Motorized Pedal (MP). Inicialmente, uma revisão sistemática da literatura foi realizada a fim de embasar cientificamente as escolhas metodológicas do estudo clínico. This study adopted the Alternating Treatment Design (ATD), with tDCS applied for 20 minutes with a current intensity of 2 mA, followed by 20 minutes of motor training with the BCI, five times a week, for two weeks. Functional and somatosensory assessments were performed weekly using standardized scales, and compared using the Friedman Test. Cortical effects were analyzed through Event-Related Desynchronization (ERD) patterns and brain connectivity changes, collected via electroencephalogram (EEG). Results showed improvements in muscle strength, range of motion, and functional capacity of the selected patient. Additionally, EEG analysis revealed increased neural activity with the combined use of tDCS and BCI compared to Baseline and Sham. Continuing research in this field is strongly recommended, exploring different stimulation parameters, patient populations, and emerging technologies, such as functional neuroimaging