Additive effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in combination with multicomponent training on elderly physical function capacity: a randomized, triple blind, controlled trial

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To evaluate the additive effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) associated with multi-component training (MT) on the functional capacity (FC) of older adults and to assess whether these effects remain after the end of training. The secondary objectives were to evaluate the locomotion capacity, balance, functional independence, and quality of life and correlate them with functional capacity.

Methodology

Twenty-eight older adults were randomized into two groups: experimental (MT associated with active tDCS – a-tDCS) and control (MT associated with sham tDCS – s-tDCS). The FC was measured by the Glittre-ADL test, locomotion capacity by the 6-minute walk test, balance by the BESTest, functional independence by the FIM, and quality of life by the WHQOL. The assessments were performed pre-, post-intervention, and 30-day follow-up.

Results

There was a significant decrease in the time to the Glittre-ADL test when comparing the a-tDCS and s-tDCS groups after the interventions (139.77 ± 21.62, 205.10 ± 43.02, p < .001) and at the 30-day follow-up (142.74 ± 17.12, 219.55 ± 54.05, p < .001), respectively. There was a moderate correlation between FC and locomotion capacity and balance.

Conclusions

The addition of tDCS potentiated the results of MT to impact FC, maintaining the positive results longer. Locomotion and balance influenced the improvement of functional capacity.

KEYWORDS:

• Transcranial direct current stimulation
• multi-component training
• older adults
• activities of daily living
• functional capacity
• balance
• quality of life

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the Agency of Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES), and the authors are grateful to the Nove de Julho University for the support and infrastructure made available during the study. We would also like to thank all patients and their family members who participated in the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The second author was financed in part by the agency of Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) [Coordination for the Advancement of Higher Education Personnel])- Brazil, under Grant 88882.365406/2019-01.