Cathodal Cerebellar tDCS Combined with Visual Feedback Improves Balance Control

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Motor Control
• Rehabilitation

Background:

• Maintaining balance is crucial for preventing falls, especially in aging populations and individuals with postural deficits.
• Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and visual feedback are known to influence balance, but their combined effects require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of combining cerebellar tDCS with visual feedback for improving balance control.
• To determine if this combined approach can sustain balance improvements after the intervention.

Main Methods:

• Ninety healthy volunteers were randomized into six groups, receiving either cathodal, anodal, or sham tDCS, with or without visual feedback during a unipedal stance task.
• Cerebellar tDCS was applied over the dominant hemisphere for 20 minutes at 2 mA.
• Body sway (ankle angle, hip position) and perceived stability were assessed before, during, and after the intervention.

Main Results:

• Visual feedback alone reduced body sway during the acquisition phase but not in the final session after removal.
• Combining cathodal tDCS with visual feedback significantly reduced body sway during acquisition and maintained this reduction in the final session.
• Anodal or sham tDCS did not show sustained balance improvements when combined with visual feedback.

Conclusions:

• Cathodal tDCS, when paired with visual feedback, can enhance and sustain short-term improvements in balance control.
• This combined neuromodulation and sensory feedback strategy offers a promising avenue for developing interventions to improve posture and reduce fall risk.