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Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Pelvic Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation in Stroke Patient
Sponsor: Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences
Summary
Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability and commonly results in impaired trunk control, postural instability, balance deficits, and reduced functional mobility due to disrupted sensorimotor integration, impaired proprioceptive processing, and decreased cortical excitability. Trunk control is a key determinant of balance, gait performance, and functional independence, making it a critical target in stroke rehabilitation. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) enhances cortical excitability and promotes neuroplasticity through a top-down mechanism, while Pelvic Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) improves trunk-pelvic control, weight shifting, and sensorimotor integration through a bottom-up proprioceptive facilitation mechanism. Emerging evidence suggests that combining tDCS with Pelvic PNF may improve trunk function and mobility in stroke survivors, supporting the concept of synergistic neuromodulation and motor facilitation. Despite the documented benefits of tDCS and Pelvic PNF individually, the combined application of these interventions remains insufficiently explored, particularly in subacute stroke patients. Most previous studies have focused on gait training, robotic rehabilitation, or other task-oriented interventions, with limited emphasis on trunk-focused pelvic PNF and postural control outcomes. Furthermore, few high-quality randomized controlled trials have evaluated whether simultaneous targeting of central neuroplasticity and peripheral proprioceptive facilitation provides superior improvements in trunk control, balance, and functional mobility. Therefore, this study aims to address this important clinical and methodological gap by investigate the combining effect of Pelvic PNF and tDCS, potentially establishing an evidence-based rehabilitation strategy that optimizes functional recovery after stroke.
Official title: Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Pelvic Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation on Trunk Control, Balance and Functional Mobility in Stroke Patients
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
40 Years - 65 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
36
Start Date
2026-07-23
Completion Date
2026-09-01
Last Updated
2026-09-09
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Pelvic PNF and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Routine Physical Therapy
The patients will sit comfortably on a chair, with their hip and knee joints positioned at 90 degrees and their forearms resting on a table in front of the chair. For the groups receiving tDCS, a wireless rechargeable tDCS device will use. This device use two 5-7 cm-long sponge electrodes that will soak in 0.9% saline. The electrodes will be carefully wrap around the patient's head. The brain remains excited for up to 20 min following tDCS. The tDCS will administered at a intensity of 2 mA, for 20 min, with a 30 sec ramp-up and ramp-down at the beginning and end of stimulation. The PNF will be perform at 10 repetitions per set, with 3sets per session, conducted 3 sessions per week over a duration of 12 weeks. Each session lasted 20 min. Pelvic PNF pattern as anterior elevation and posterior elevation using rthymic initiation and slow reversal. RPT include ROM, trunk flexion, bridging and swiss ball exercises.
Pelvic Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation and Routine Physical Therapy
The PNF treatment will be perform at a dosage of 10 repetitions per set, with 3sets per session, conducted 3 sessions per week over a duration of 12 weeks. Each session lasted 20 minutes, depending on the participant's endurance and response to therapy. The treatment will performed on the affected side, with the hips flexed to 100° and the knees flexed to 45°. For anterior elevation, the therapist's hands will placed just on the subject's anterior iliac spine, and for posterior depression, they will placed on the patient's ischial tuberosity. "Pull up" for anterior elevation, and "push down" and "sit into my hands" for posterior depression. Rhythmic initiation, Slow reversal and stabilizing reversal will used. routine physical therapy involve Sitting posture exercises as controlled forward flexion, trunk rotation to right and left. Supine position exercises as hip roll to both sides, bridging exercise Dynamic sitting exercise on swiss ball as controlled lateral weight shifting.
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Routine Physical Therapy
The patients will sit comfortably on a chair, with their hip and knee joints positioned at 90 degrees and their forearms resting on a table in front of the chair. For the groups receiving tDCS, a wireless rechargeable tDCS device will use. This device use two 5-7 cm-long sponge electrodes that will soak in 0.9% saline. The electrodes will be carefully wrap around the patient's head. The brain remains excited for up to 20 min following tDCS. The tDCS will administered at a intensity of 2 mA, for 20 min, with a 30 sec ramp-up and ramp-down at the beginning and end of stimulation. routine physical therapy involve Sitting posture exercises as controlled forward flexion, trunk rotation to right and left. Supine position exercises as hip roll to both sides, bridging exercise Dynamic sitting exercise on swiss ball as controlled lateral weight shifting for 20 min duration
Locations (1)
Dr Salma Physiotherapy Department Psrd Hospital 042-37423455
Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan