Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: Effects of Different Montages of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on the Risk of Falls and Lower Limb Function for Acute Stroke Patients: a Randomized Controlled Trial
Brief Summary: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has shown promising results in the modulation of cortical excitability and the promotion of neuronal plasticity after stroke. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of three different montages of tDCS (anodal, cathodal and bilateral) in reducing the risk of falls and recovery of lower limb function in acute stroke patients.


Options:
A: Inclusion Criteria:

* First time clinical ischemic or hemorrhagic cerebrovascular accident (radiologically confirmed)
* Demonstrates adequate balance while wearing a hand restraint on the unaffected arm
* Ability to stand from a sitting position and ability to stand with or without upper extremity support
* Stroke onset at least 6 months prior to study enrollment

Exclusion Criteria:

* Significant pre-stroke disability
* Any substantial decrease in alertness, language reception, or attention that might interfere with understanding instructions for motor testing
* Excessive pain in any joint of the paretic extremity
* A terminal medical diagnosis consistent with survival of less than 1 year
* Advanced liver, kidney, cardiac, or pulmonary disease
* Coexistent major neurological or psychiatric disease (including epilepsy)
* A history of significant alcohol or drug abuse in the prior 3 years
* Use of neuropsychotropic drugs - such as antidepressants
* Patients may not be actively enrolled in a separate intervention study targeting stroke recovery
* Patients may not have already received constraint-induced movement therapy and/or tDCS treatment for stroke
B: Inclusion Criteria:

* Clinical diagnosis of stroke recorded in the health record;
* Age ≥ 18 years;
* Living at home for at least 3 months;
* Ability to walk a minimum of 10 metres with or without walking aids without assistance from another person;
* Ability to follow verbal instructions or demonstrations of the exercises;
* Ability to speak and read English; and
* Willingness to obtain medical clearance from a healthcare provider and sign a liability waiver.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Self-reported involvement in another formal exercise or rehabilitation program;
* Conditions or symptoms preventing participation in exercise (e.g., unstable cardiovascular disease, significant joint pain);
* Cognitive or behavioural deficits that would prevent cooperation within a group;
* Self-reported ability to walk more than 20 minutes without a seated rest; and
* Self-reported ability to manage environmental barriers (curbs, ramps, and stairs) with relative ease.
C: Inclusion Criteria:

* Clinical diagnosis of acute stroke
* Able to walk 10m independently
* High risk of falling

Exclusion Criteria:

* Severe functional limitations
* Cognitive impairment
D: Inclusion Criteria:

* Patient with spastic hemiparesis, following a unique stroke episode over a year before enrollment into the study
* Age ≥ 18
* Barefoot walking possible with no assistive device over 10 m
* Fast barefoot ambulation speed between 0.1 m/sec and 1.3 m/sec
* Mean Modified FRENCHAY Score between 2 and 8/10
* Patient having provided a signed consent to participate in this trial

Exclusion Criteria:

* Multiple stroke episodes, clinically of based on brain imaging
* No recent (less than 3 months before enrollment) brain imaging (CT scan or MRI) in case of doubt about multiple stroke episodes
* Concurrent severe condition jeopardizing functional or vital prognosis, or the ability to participate in rehabilitation sessions
* Cognitive, phasic or behavioral condition impeding verbal communication, active participation to a rehabilitation or self-rehabilitation program, or participation in a research study, according to the investigator's judgment
* Person having a tutor or benefiting from a law protection order
* Person not benefiting from French State Health Insurance

Answer: C