Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: Late LTP-like Plasticity Effects of tDCS in Subacute Stroke Patients
Brief Summary: Rationale: About 80% of stroke patients suffer motor impairments, but current therapies have limited effects on motor recovery. Therefore, investigating new potential therapeutic approaches is crucial. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a form of non-invasive electrical stimulation where a weak current is applied through electrodes over the scalp. This stimulation is known to (1) induce changes in neuronal excitability -which can last up to one day with late LTP-like plasticity protocols in a polarity and site-specific manner, and (2) facilitate motor learning and stroke recovery. So far, several pilot studies have reported beneficial results from tDCS in both subacute and chronic stroke patients, but it's still unclear how tDCS should be repeated over multiple days to optimally enhance recovery and training effects. Using a late LTP-like plasticity protocol could increase effectiveness of standard clinical care rehabilitation sessions and thus enhance the effects of rehabilitation. Therefore, the investigators want to investigate how late LTP-like plasticity tDCS affects rehabilitation in subacute stroke patients. The outcome of this study can provide important guidelines on effective motor therapy during stroke rehabilitation.

Objective: Identify the effect of late LTP-like plasticity on motor rehabilitation during the subacute phase after stroke.

Study design: Double-blinded, randomized between-subjects trials. Study population: Subacute stroke patients. Main study parameters/endpoints: The primary outcome measure is the upper limb motor function during the subacute phase after stroke.


Options:
A: Inclusion Criteria:

1. First-ever stroke with the onset 10-90 days prior to the enrollment
2. Age: 20-80y
3. With a hemiplegic upper extremity with Brunnstrom stage in I\~IV
4. Able to understand simple orders (1-step orders, such as "raise your hand, touch your head....)
5. Totally independent in activity of daily life before the onset of stroke

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Incompliance to the assessments or interventions due to unstable medical condition, abnormal cognition, or other conditions.
2. Stroke of brainstem or cerebellum
3. Had received craniotomy or ventriculoperitoneal shunting
4. Needs of orthoses in walking before the onset of stroke
5. Had had motor dysfunctions (eg, amputation, cerebral palsy, poliomyelitis or other neuromuscular diseases) before the stroke.
6. Intracranial hemorrhage caused by artereovenous malformation, aneurysm, or tumor
7. Able to walk independently for more than 50 meters.
B: Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of stroke according to WHO's definition of stroke
* Living in the city of Trondheim or the municipalities of Asker or Bærum
* Included 2.5 - 4 months after stroke
* Modified Rankin Scale 0 - 4
* Living at home
* Mini Mental State Examination \> 20 or \> 16 if aphasia
* Provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Are already included in the study
* Are included in other experimental studies
* Unstable coronary function
* Uncompensated heartfailure
* Other diseases that make it difficult to complete the intervention
C: Inclusion Criteria:

* Subacute stroke (within 1-4 weeks post stroke)
* Acute hemiparesis (Fugl-Meyer Stage \< IV) with single thromboembolic non-hemorrhagic infarction documented by a neurologist
* Aged 18-79

Exclusion Criteria:

* Absence of voluntary movement (Fugl-Meyer Stage \< III)
* Head injury or the presence of intracranial metal or intracranial lesions
* History of cranial irradiation
* History of epilepsy
* Presence of a pacemaker
* Taking anticonvulsant or neuroleptic medication
* Substance abuse
* Inability to understand instructions
D: Inclusion Criteria:

* Stroke patients onset \> 6 months
* First ever stroke
* Decreased hand and arm function
* Mini Mental State Examination (\>24)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Depression
* Pregnancy
* Alcohol abuse
* Aneurysm clips
* Pacemaker
* Neurostimulator
* Implemented defibrillator
* Magnetically activated implant or device
* implemented pump
* Spinal cord simulator
* Implemented hearing aid
* Artificial or prosthetic limb
* Metal parts in the body
* Any external or internal metal
* Artificial heart valve
* Other implants
* History of brain surgery
* Migraine
* Family history of Epilepsy

Answer: C