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This pilot study aimed to evaluate the effect of four-week rehabilitation regimens involving task-specific exercises (TSE), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and their combination on enhancing serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in ambulatory stroke survivors. A total of 60 ambulatory stroke patients were randomly assigned to four intervention groups: (i) control intervention physiotherapy (CIP); (ii) combination of TSE, tDCS, and CIP; (iii) TSE and CIP; and (iv) tDCS and CIP. Serum BDNF levels were assessed using a Quantikine ELISA kit. A statistically significant variance in serum BDNF levels was observed among the groups (F=58.04, p=0.001). Bonferroni’s post-hoc analysis revealed no significant difference in serum BDNF levels between the control and TSE+CIP groups (p=1.000). A statistically significant difference in serum BDNF was reported between the control, tDCS+CIP group, and TSE + tDCS + CIP group at p<0.001. The pilot study underscores the considerable influence of interventions on serum BDNF levels in stroke survivors. The combined regimen of TSE, tDCS, and CIP demonstrated efficacy in enhancing patients’ BDNF levels. No significant difference in BDNF levels was discerned between the control and TSE+CIP groups. These findings hold promise for refining research and rehabilitation strategies in stroke patients to promote BDNF-related neuroplasticity.
A Thu, study studied this question.