Online stimulation of the prefrontal cortex during practice increases motor variability and modulates later cognitive transfer: a randomized, double-blinded and sham-controlled tDCS study
- Conditions
- Healthy adults (18-35 years)
- Registration Number
- DRKS00033716
- Lead Sponsor
- Otto von Guericke Universität
- Brief Summary
Our results demonstrate that the influence of cathodal tDCS over prefrontal networks during a long-term motor learning process caused higher performance variability compared to the sham tDCS stimulation group. This increase in behavioural variance indicates that the stimulation causally affected (pre-)frontal brain networks. Moreover, DBT training with concurrent cathodal tDCS not only resulted in a ‘near’ transfer effect on postural control, but also in ‘far’ transfer on cognitive flexibility known to rely on the prefrontal networks persisting 24 hours after the end of training.
- Detailed Description
Not available
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- Complete
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 44
Healthy adults
Pregnancy, history of migraine, dermatological findings of the scalp, any non-removable metal implants, history of head injury, cardiological or neurological or orthopaedic disorders, taking prescription medication, addictions, epilepsy, mental disorders, history of psychiatric/psychological disorders, side effects of previous brain stimulation techniques, trained/experienced in sports that require a high degree of balance such as ballet, slacklining etc.
Study & Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Study Design
- Not specified
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Time in balance (TIB) recorded in seconds during each training session/day (TD) for between and with-in group comparisons.<br>Performance variability calculated using coefficient of variation (CoV= SD/mean) in TIB over each TD.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Effect of cathodal tDCS on learning-induced transfer (pre & post intervention). Difference scores (pre-post) were calculated for<br>(1) cognitive tasks: Visual and verbal memory test (VVM), d2-test of attention, Trail making test (TMT-A & B), Eriksen Flanker task.<br>(2) motor task: Wii task (Wii Nintendo);<br>(3) control tasks: Stroop task and balance error scoring system (BESS)