The Synergistic Effects of Trunk Rehabilitation Exercise and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels in Stroke Recovery.
Abdulkareem Muhammad Umar, Mohd Ariff Sharifudin, Naresh Bhaskar Raj et al.
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In 30 seconds
This randomized controlled trial evaluated trunk rehabilitation exercise (TRE), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and their combination in 69 stroke survivors, measuring serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Participants were assigned to TRE, tDCS, combined TRE plus tDCS, or a control group. BDNF levels differed significantly among groups (F = 9.530, P = 0.001); the combined-intervention group had the highest mean posttest concentration, 181.80 pg/mL. The authors conclude that combining TRE and tDCS may enhance BDNF more than either intervention alone.
Key findings
- Serum BDNF levels differed significantly among the groups (F = 9.530, P = 0.001).
- The combined TRE and tDCS group had the highest mean posttest serum BDNF concentration (181.80 pg/mL).
Why it matters
BDNF is a marker relevant to neuroplasticity, so the observed group differences provide a biological signal that combined rehabilitation approaches may warrant further study in stroke recovery. However, the reported outcome is serum BDNF; the abstract does not establish that this change translates into better functional recovery.
What to keep in mind
The abstract reports serum BDNF as the measured outcome and does not provide functional recovery results or follow-up duration.