Abstract:

Objective To systematically review the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on cognitive function in patients with mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment after stroke, and conduct a meta-analysis. Methods Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of cognitive function in patients with mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment after stroke treated with tDCS were retrieved from the Chinese-language and English-language databases. The quality of the included literatures was evaluated using the Cochrane bias risk assessment tool, and the related indicators were analyzed via a meta-analysis using RevMan 5.4 software. Results A total of 11 literatures involving 481 subjects were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score (MD=1.44, 95%CI 0.86, 2.02, P<0.01), and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score (MD=1.39, 95%CI 0.52, 2.26, P=0.002) indicating overall cognitive function, and Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test(RBMT) score indicating memory ability (MD=1.30, 95%CI 0.43, 2.17, P=0.004) were significantly higher in the treated group than the control group. The Digit Span Test (DST) encompassing both forward (FDST for attention, MD=0.28, 95%CI -0.15, 0.72, P=0.20) and backward (BDST for working memory, MD=0.10, 95%CI -0.23, 0.44, P=0.55) recall were comparable between groups. Conclusion tDCS can effectively improve the overall cognitive function and memory function of patients with mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment after stroke.

Key words: transcranial direct current stimulation, cognitive function, systematic evaluation, meta analysis