| Objective: To explore the improvement effects of the sequential rehabilitation program based on the motor priming theory, namely transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with isokinetic strength training, on knee joint muscle strength, muscle endurance, and lower limb motor function in stroke patients, and to verify the scientificity of conducting peripheral treatment within the post-central intervention effect time window. Methods: A randomized controlled trial design was adopted, and patients with lower limb motor dysfunction after stroke were enrolled and randomly divided into the experimental group and the control group. The experimental group underwent isokinetic muscle strength training within 60 min after stimulation of the M1 area on the affected side with anode tDCS (2 mA, 20 min), while the control group underwent the same isokinetic muscle strength training 60 min after tDCS stimulation. The primary outcome measures included the Fugl-Meyer assessment of lower extremity motor function (FMA-LE) and the Holden functional ambulation category (FAC), and the secondary measures were peak torque (PT) and total work (TW) of knee flexor and extensor muscles at an angular velocity of 60°/s.Results: After treatment, both groups showed significant improvements in PT, TW, FMA-LE, and FAC scores (P<0.05), with the experimental group showing significantly greater improvement than the control group (P<0.05). All differences were statistically significant. Conclusion: Implementing isokinetic muscle strength training within the effect time window after tDCS can more effectively enhance muscle strength and endurance around the knee joint in stroke patients, and promote the recovery of lower limb motor function. |
