The tDCS Protocol
PAD, CORTEX
The tDCS was delivered using a battery-driven constant-current direct current stimulator (ActivaDose® II tDCS Starter Kit, Taiwan, China) through 2 saline-soaked electrodes. The tDCS anode was placed on the swallowing sensorimotor cortex of the unaffected side. The center of a tDCS anodal electrode pad with a size of 5.0 cm × 5.0 cm was placed on the swallowing sensorimotor cortex during the operation. According to the positioning method of the International 10–20 Electrode System, the swallowing sensorimotor cortex of the left brain was located at the midpoint of C3 to T3, while that of the right brain was located at the midpoint of C3 to T3. The cathode was placed on the opposite shoulder, with 1 mA of current, 20 min each time, once a day, 5 days a week, and a total of 2 weeks (Fig. The tDCS treatment