Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with concurrent dual-task walking on mobility, gait, and cognitive outcomes: A systematic review.

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  • Author(s): Usman JS;Usman JS; Wong TW; Wong TW; Ng SSM; Ng SSM
  • Source:
    Brain research [Brain Res] 2025 Jan 01; Vol. 1846, pp. 149255. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Oct 05.
  • Publication Type:
    Journal Article; Systematic Review; Review
  • Language:
    English
  • Additional Information
    • Source:
      Publisher: Elsevier/North-Holland Biomedical Press Country of Publication: Netherlands NLM ID: 0045503 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1872-6240 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00068993 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Brain Res Subsets: MEDLINE
    • Publication Information:
      Original Publication: Amsterdam Elsevier/North-Holland Biomedical Press.
    • Subject Terms:
      Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation*/methods ; Walking*/physiology ; Cognition*/physiology ; Gait*/physiology ; Parkinson Disease*/therapy ; Parkinson Disease*/physiopathology; Humans ; Psychomotor Performance/physiology
    • Abstract:
      Introduction: Successful execution of normal activities in various populations warrants the performance of dual tasks (DTs). DTs involve motor and cognitive tasking with the involvement of various brain areas. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been used for regulating the excitability of brain cortical regions. The purpose of this review was to evaluate the available scientific evidence on the effects of tDCS combined with concurrent DT walking on mobility, gait and cognition in older adults (OAs) with and without Parkinson's disease (PD).
      Methods: The PubMed, PEDro, Cochrane Library, Embase and Web databases of Science were searched for relevant articles published from their beginning until date. Randomized controlled trials were retrieved, and their methodological quality and risk of bias were evaluated using the PEDro scale and the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool respectively. Qualitative and quantitative synthesis were used to analyze the data.
      Results: Five studies were included in the review. The results revealed that in individuals with PD, active tDCS with concurrent DT walking has more potential to significantly improve DT cost to gait speed (p < 0.05), and the proportion of correct responses during DT time up and go test (TUG) count (p = 0.004). DT walking with concurrent tDCS has potential to significantly improve DT [gait speed count (p = 0.03), cadence (p = 0.0005), double limb support time (DBST) (p < 0.0001), and single-task (ST) cadence (p = 0.008)]. Significant improvements were observed in the DT costs for stride time (p < 0.0001), DBST (p = 0.03), stride time variability (p < 0.00001), and swing time variability (p = 0.002) with the active tDCS combined with concurrent DT training in OAs.
      Conclusions: The effects of tDCS combined with concurrent DT walking or training on cognitive, gait and mobility outcomes in OAs with or without PD can be better explained by the DTW training itself. However, tDCS could produce some specific effects in particular outcomes and scenarios.
      Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
      (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
    • Contributed Indexing:
      Keywords: Dual-task; Gait; Mobility; Older adults; Parkinson’s disease; tDCS
    • Publication Date:
      Date Created: 20241006 Date Completed: 20241201 Latest Revision: 20241201
    • Publication Date:
      20241204
    • Accession Number:
      10.1016/j.brainres.2024.149255
    • Accession Number:
      39369775