Enhancing Balance and Walking Endurance in Older Adults: The Potential of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation as an Adjunct to Balance Training, a Randomized, Sham-Controlled, Clinical Trial

TL;DR

This study tested if adding tDCS to balance training improves physical performance in older adults, finding it mainly boosts walking endurance.

Contribution

The study is the first to show tDCS combined with balance training improves walking endurance in older adults.

Findings

Anodal tDCS combined with balance training improved the 6MWT more than balance training alone.

No significant improvements were found in balance, gait, or leg strength with tDCS.

Both groups showed improvements over time, but only the 6MWT showed a significant group × time interaction.

Abstract

Background: Falls among the elderly present significant physical, psychological, and economic challenges. Fall prevention strategies, such as balance and muscle strengthening exercises, are essential but often require long-term commitment. This study explores the potential of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) as an adjunct to balance training to enhance physical performance in the elderly. Method: A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled design was employed to compare balance training with active or sham tDCS. Participants underwent baseline assessments, followed by a six-week intervention period. The intervention protocol consisted of 2 mA, 20 min of anodal tDCS over the left primary motor cortex, three times weekly. Post-intervention assessments were conducted a few days after the intervention and follow-up at 4 weeks. Results: Following 18 sessions of anodal tDCS combined with balance exercise training, no significant group differences were observed for the Time Up and Go, One-Leg Standing, lower-limb strength, or the 6 min walk test (6MWT), although both the intervention and control groups demonstrated significant improvements over time. A significant group × time interaction was found only for the 6MWT, with participants in the intervention group exhibiting greater improvements in the 6MWT compared to controls. Conclusions: Anodal tDCS combined with balance exercise training selectively enhanced physical endurance but did not confer additional benefits for balance, gait, or leg strength in healthy older adults. These findings suggest that tDCS may serve as a promising adjunct to exercise for improving endurance-related outcomes in aging populations. Control of various variables for tDCS and exercise is necessary.

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