Cathodal Cerebellar tDCS Combined with Visual Feedback Improves Balance Control.

Cathodal Cerebellar tDCS Combined with Visual Feedback Improves Balance Control. Cerebellum. 2020 Jul 30;: Authors: Emadi Andani M, Villa-Sánchez B, Raneri F, Dametto S, Tinazzi M, Fiorio M Abstract Balance control is essential to maintain a stable body position and to prevent falls. The aim of this study was to determine whether balance control could be improved by using cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and visual feedback in a combined approach. A total of 90 healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to six groups defined by the delivery of tDCS (cathodal or anodal or sham) and the provision or not of visual feedback on balance during the acquisition phase. tDCS was delivered over the cerebellar hemisphere ipsilateral to the dominant leg for 20 min at 2 mA during a unipedal stance task. Body sway (i.e., ankle angle and hip position) was measured as an overall maximal unit in anteroposterior and mediolateral direction, together with participant rating of perception of stability, before (baseline), during (acquisition), and after (final) the intervention. We found a reduction in body sway during the acquisition session when visual feedback alone was provided. When the visual feedback was removed (final session), however, body sway increased above baseline. Differently, the reduction in overall maximal body sway was maintained during the final session when the delivery of cathodal tDCS and visual feedback w...
Source: Cerebellum - Category: Neuroscience Authors: Tags: Cerebellum Source Type: research