Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: The Use of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in the Recovery of Postural Control in Stroke
Brief Summary: This study investigates if transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is effective in the recovery of postural control in stroke rehabilitation.


Options:
A: Inclusion Criteria:

* an ability to complete 10º of wrist or finger extension from a 60 - 65 º flexed position
* score less than a 56 on the UE subscale of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment
* an ability to voluntarily activate slight movements in the wrist and fingers so that the EMG activity reaches a minimal level on the microprocessor for electrical stimulation to be activated
* unilateral, first stroke of ischemic or hemorrhagic origin in the carotid artery distribution
* free of major post stroke complications
* able to attend therapy 2 days/week or 4 days/week for 2 weeks
* score at least a 16 on the Mini Mental Status Examination
* able to discriminate sharp from dull and light touch using traditional sensation tests.

Exclusion Criteria:

* hemiparetic arm is insensate
* motor impairments from stroke on opposite side of body
* pre-existing neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, or dementia
* Legal blindness or severe visual impairment; 5) Life expectancy less than one year
* Severe arthritis or orthopedic problems that limit passive ranges of motion of upper extremity (passive finger extension \< 40º; passive wrist extension \< 40º; passive elbow extension \<40º; shoulder flexion/abduction \< 80º)
* History of sustained alcoholism or drug abuse in the last six months
* Has pacemaker or other implanted device
* pregnant
B: Inclusion Criteria:

* Clinical diagnosis of stroke, presenting with hemiplegia
* Within 14 days of stroke onset
* Medically stable
* Able to...

  * tolerate daily therapy for a minimum of 30 minutes per session
  * sit for more than 5 seconds without support
  * understand and follow 1 stage commands

Exclusion Criteria:

* Previous stroke with residual impairments
* Other neurological diagnosis (e.g. Parkinsons Disease, Multiple Sclerosis)
* Clinically relevant pre-morbid disability levels
C: Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients suffering from the consequences of a stroke in the medial cerebral artery, during the sub-acute phase (4-24 weeks after onset)
2. Age between 18-75 years
3. Hospitalised in rehabilitation Hospital Hof Ter Schelde
4. Capable of understanding and giving informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Cerebellum or brainstem lesions
2. Recently multiple lesions and older lesions which are manifested clinically.
3. History of severe substance abuse (alcohol, drugs, benzodiazepines)
4. Cardiac disease that in the opinion of the clinician precludes participation in the trial (severe dyspnea in rest, severe rhythm disturbances, etc)
5. History of epileptic insults, not caused by the stroke
6. Severe organic co morbidity
7. Psychiatric disorders or history of psychiatric disorders
8. Pace maker / internal defibrillator
9. Pregnancy
D: Inclusion Criteria:

* Participant is willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the study.
* Male or Female, aged 18-85
* At least one month post ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke or brain damage to the right hemisphere
* Diagnosis of neglect confirmed by evidence of neglect on at least one of the tests in the battery of neglect tests administered during the Recruitment Interview

Absolute contraindications to participation in any part of the study:

* Anyone who does not have adequate understanding of English, sufficient to give informed consent
* Limited verbal communication in the form of dysphasia
* Any person who has a history of drug abuse as the data collected may be influenced by their condition
* Any person who has a history of dementia or any other psychiatric illness as the data collected may be influenced by their condition

Absolute contraindications to participation in the tDCS part of the study:

* Anyone who has a previous personal history of epilepsy, seizures, febrile convulsions as a child or recurrent fainting fits will be excluded from the tDCS part of the study
* Any metallic implant in the neck, head, or eye that is situated within the path of the tDCS current, and anyone with any implanted electrical devices, would be excluded as there is a risk of heating with tDCS
* Pregnant women are excluded as a precaution as there are no data on the effect on maternal tDCS or MRI on the foetus

Absolute contraindications to participation in the MRI part of the study:

* People who suffer from claustrophobia will be excluded from the MRI part of the study if they state they are unable to tolerate the scanner environment
* Anyone with a metal implant or implantable device that is found to be unsafe or unknown for MRI following investigations by named researchers and staff radiographers would be excluded.
* Pregnant women are excluded as a precaution as there are no data on the effect on maternal tDCS or MRI on the foetus

Potential contraindications to participation in the tDCS part of the study:

* Participants on some prescription medications such as anti-depressants or pain medication may be excluded as they may be at an increased risk of seizure
* Individuals who have a family history of epilepsy or seizure may be excluded as this may increase the individual's personal risk of susceptibility to seizures

Potential contraindications to participation in the MRI part of the study:

• An individual with a previous history of a surgical procedure may be excluded, depending on whether a metallic implant was used in their operation and whether the MRI-safety status of the implanted materials can be adequately assessed after requesting the medical/surgical notes (with patient consent) and/or post-surgical imaging and consulting with the staff radiographers who are legally responsible for determining participant safety in advance of any scanning.

Answer: C