Table 2.
The effects of tDCS combined with physical training on physical performance.
| References | Sample size | Intervention | Control | Protocol | tDCS site | Combine way | Outcome measure | Time of assessment | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bruce et al. (2020) | 26 CAI | a-tDCS + strength training | s-tDCS + strength training | 4 session 18 min 1.5 mA |
M1 | During | DPSI Muscle activation |
Before, halfway through training (week-2), completion of training (week-4), and retention (week-6) | Dynamic balance and muscle activation improved in the a-tDCS combined strength training group from baseline to week-6 |
| Jafarzadeh et al. (2019) | 38 LBP | a-tDCS + postural training | s-tDCS + postural training Postural training |
6 session 20 min 2 mA |
M1 | During | DPSI BBS VAS |
Before, immediately and 1-month after the interventions | The postural stability indices, BBS and VAS scores significantly improved immediately and one-month after the intervention in the a-tDCS combined training group, while there were significant differences between active a-tDCS and other two groups |
| Zandvliet et al. (2018) | 10 OA | a-tDCS + postural training | s-tDCS + postural training | 1 session 20 min 1.5 mA |
Cerebellum | During | CoP VAS |
Before, immediately after the interventions | No significant changes in CoP comp-score and performance on the tracking task |
| Yosephi et al. (2018) | 65 OA | M1 a-tDCS + postural training Bilateral cerebellar a-tDCS + postural training |
Sham a-tDCS + Postural training Cerebellar a-tDCS postural training |
6 session 20 min 2 mA |
M1 Cerebellum |
During | DPSI BBS |
Before, immediately after the interventions | Simultaneous postural training with M1 or bilateral cerebellar a-tDCS significantly improved postural stability indices and BBS scores. Moreover, two weeks postural training alone or cerebellar a-tDCS alone is not an adequate intervention to improve the postural stability indices |
| Washabaugh et al. (2016) | 22 YA | a-tDCS + intermittent quadriceps activity | a-tDCS + resting | 1 session 20 min 1.5 mA |
M1 | During | Knee extension torque Knee flexion torque |
Before, immediately, 5 and 25 min after the interventions | The tDCS combined with training group produced greater knee extension torques when compared with the tDCS-resting group |
| Steiner et al. (2016) | 30 YA | a-tDCS + postural training | s-tDCS + postural training | 1 session 20 min 2 mA |
Cerebellum | During | Balance time Platform angle |
Before, immediately, and 25 h after the interventions | Cerebellar tDCS did not improve a complex whole body dynamic balance performance in young and healthy subjects |
| Hendy and Kidgell (2013) | 30 YA | a-tDCS + strength training | s-tDCS+ strength training No intervention |
9 session 20 min 2 mA |
M1 | During | Maximal voluntary Strength Muscle thickness |
Before, immediately, after the interventions | Maximal voluntary strength increased in both the tDCS and sham groups. There was no difference in strength gain between the two groups and no change in muscle thickness |
| Williams et al. (2010) | 20 YA | a-tDCS + motor training | s-tDCS + motor training | 1 session 40 min 1 mA |
M1 | During | Hand function test | Before, immediately and 2 h after the interventions | There was a larger increase in motor performance for the a-tDCS group compared with the s-tDCS group |
YA, young adult; OA, old adult; CAI, chronic ankle instability; LBP, low back pain; tDCS, transcranial direct current stimulation; a-tDCS, anodal tDCS; c-tDCS, cathodal tDCS; s-tDCS, sham tDCS; M1, Primary motor cortex, BBS, Berg Balance Scale; VAS, Visual Analog Scale; CoP, Center of pressure.