Abstract
Recently, some studies revealed that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) reduces dual-task interference. Since there are countless combinations of dual-tasks, it remains unclear whether stable effects by tDCS can be observed on dual-task interference. An aim of the present study was to investigate whether the effects of tDCS on dual-task interference change depend on the dual-task content. We adopted two combinations of dual-tasks, i.e., a word task while performing a tandem task (word-tandem dual-task) and a classic Stroop task while performing a tandem task (Stroop-tandem dual-task). We expected that the Stroop task would recruit the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and require involvement of executive function to greater extent than the word task. Subsequently, we hypothesized that anodal tDCS over the DLPFC would improve executive function and result in more effective reduction of dual-task interference in the Stroop-tandem dual-task than in the word-tandem dual-task. Anodal or cathodal tDCS was applied over the DLPFC or the supplementary motor area using a constant current of 2.0 mA for 20 min. According to our results, dual-task interference and the task performances of each task under the single-task condition were not changed after applying any settings of tDCS. However, anodal tDCS over the left DLPFC significantly improved the word task performance immediately after tDCS under the dual-task condition. Our findings suggested that the effect of anodal tDCS over the left DLPFC varies on the task performance under the dual-task condition was changed depending on the dual-task content.
Highlights
When an individual performs two tasks simultaneously, the performance of either one or both tasks may often be impaired
Given that anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) improved executive function and resulted in improved task performance related to executive function under the single-task condition, we hypothesized that anodal tDCS over the DLPFC would improve a task performance related to executive function, even under the dual-task condition
We investigated whether anodal/cathodal tDCS over the left DLPFC/supplementary motor area (SMA) would impact dual-task interference depending on the dual-task content
Summary
When an individual performs two tasks simultaneously, the performance of either one or both tasks may often be impaired. Dual-task interference is known to cause various accidents, such as falls or traffic accidents (Lundin-Olsson et al, 1997; Chaparro et al, 2005). When elderly individuals perform a cognitive task while walking, a reduction in gait speed and an increment in the cadence and stride duration has been tDCS Improved Dual-Task Performance observed (Gomes et al, 2016). Dual-task interferences have the potential to cause unexpected accidents. Exploring ways to reduce dual-task interference represents an efficient way to decrease the risk of accidents
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