The effects of cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation on static and dynamic postural stability in older individuals: a randomized double-blind sham-controlled study.
Author: Ehsani F1, Samaei A2, Zoghi M3, Hedayati R1, Jaberzadeh S4
Affiliation:
1Neuromuscular Rehabilitation Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, 3513138111, Iran.
2Department of Internal Medicine, Neuromuscular Rehabilitation Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
3Discipline of Physiotherapy, Department of Rehabilitation, Nutrition and Sport, School of Allied Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Vic., Australia.
4Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
Conference/Journal: Eur J Neurosci.
Date published: 2017 Dec
Other:
Volume ID: 46 , Issue ID: 12 , Pages: 2875-2884 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1111/ejn.13731. Epub 2017 Nov 6. , Word Count: 193
The aging population is growing rapidly. Risk of falling is higher in older people compared to young adults due to several reasons including poor posture and balance. The main aim of this study was to investigate the effect of cerebellar anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) on static and dynamic postural stability in older individuals. Twenty-nine older adults participated in this study and were randomly allocated to two groups of active a-tDCS (experimental; n = 14) or sham tDCS group (n = 15). Experimental group received cerebellar a-tDCS for 20 min with intensity of 1.5 mA. Anterior-posterior and medial-lateral postural stability indices (postural sway) in addition to Berg Balance Score were measured before and after the intervention. Postural sways in static and dynamic postural tasks were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) after cerebellar a-tDCS, in addition to Berg Balance Score that increased significantly in active cerebellar a-tDCS group (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant changes in postural stability indices or Berg Balance Score in sham group (P > 0.05). The findings indicated immediate effect of cerebellar a-tDCS on improvement of postural control and balance in older individuals.
KEYWORDS: balance; cerebellum; older adult; posture; transcranial direct current stimulation
PMID: 28973782 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.13731
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