tDCS and CO-OP in Chronic Stroke

Transcranial direct current stimulation modulates the excitability of targeted brain regions, and is thought to facilitate or inhibit neuroplasticity. Participants will receive anodal tDCS (1.5 mA) to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) for 20 minutes at the beginning of each session. CO-OP focuses on learning of a global problem-solving strategy, Goal-Plan-Do-Check (GPDC), within the performance of participant-chosen goals. Use of a broadly applicable strategy and meaningful activity ensures the intervention is salient to the participant and increases likelihood of transfer. Uniquely, therapists applying CO-OP use guided discovery methods to support participants in analyzing their own performance of a given task and generating potential solutions for improving performance. Participants become equipped with these skills through repetitive application of the Goal-Plan-Do-Check process.The intervention focuses on learning GPDC with gradual withdrawal of guided discovery methods.