Abstract
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive, easy to administer, well-tolerated, and safe technique capable of affecting brain excitability, both at the cortical and cerebellum levels. However, its effectiveness has not been sufficiently assessed in all population segments or clinical applications. This systematic review aimed at compiling and summarizing the currently available scientific evidence about the effect of tDCS on functionality in older adults over 60 years of age. A search of databases was conducted to find randomized clinical trials that applied tDCS versus sham stimulation in the above-mentioned population. No limits were established in terms of date of publication. A total of 237 trials were found, of which 24 met the inclusion criteria. Finally, nine studies were analyzed, including 260 healthy subjects with average age between 61.0 and 85.8 years. Seven of the nine included studies reported superior improvements in functionality variables following the application of tDCS compared to sham stimulation. Anodal tDCS applied over the motor cortex may be an effective technique for improving balance and posture control in healthy older adults. However, further high-quality randomized controlled trials are required to determine the most effective protocols and to clarify potential benefits for older adults.
Highlights
Transcranial direct current stimulation is a non-invasive tool for neuromodulation that has proven to be well-tolerated and safe [1,2]
Several studies have observed that the sole application of a 20-min session of Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applied on the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex improve cognitive and motor functions including working memory [5], problem solving [6], decision making [7,8], and movement precision during reaching tasks [9]
A total of 237 articles were found in the different databases
Summary
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive tool for neuromodulation that has proven to be well-tolerated and safe [1,2]. The change generated in the electric potential of the membrane of the underlying neurons affects neuronal excitability, which varies depending on the orientation of the electric field determined by the position and polarity of the electrodes [3,4]. This effect on excitability is believed to be related to transient changes in the synaptic efficiency of different neurotransmitters [4]. Several studies have observed that the sole application of a 20-min session of tDCS applied on the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex improve cognitive and motor functions including working memory [5], problem solving [6], decision making [7,8], and movement precision during reaching tasks [9]
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