Key result
The addition of transcranial direct current stimulation to a 4-week balance training program did not yield additional benefits for dynamic balance compared to balance training alone.
Why the study?
Instability devices enhance ankle strength and stability, but the effect of combining them with transcranial direct current stimulation on dynamic balance in active individuals was unclear.
Does combining transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with balance training improve dynamic balance compared to balance training alone in recreationally active young adults?
RCT (n=20)
Single-blind
Randomized
No
Does combining transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with balance training improve dynamic balance compared to balance training alone in recreationally active young adults?
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Adding transcranial direct current stimulation to a 4-week balance training program does not provide additional benefits for dynamic balance in healthy active young adults.
(1) Background: Dynamic balance plays a crucial role in maintaining ankle stability and preventing injuries, particularly in active individuals. Instability devices are commonly utilized to enhance ankle strength and stability, and there is growing interest in integrating these tools with novel modalities, such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), to maximize benefits. This study aimed to compare the effects of a 4-week balance training program performed on a selective instability device alone or combined with tDCS on dynamic balance in recreationally active young adults. (2) Methods: Twenty participants were randomized into two groups: one performing balance exercises on the Blackboard device and another combining the exercises with tDCS. Dynamic balance was measured at baseline, midway, and post-intervention using the Y-Balance Test and the Emery Test. (3) Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in balance performance, with increased reach distances and stability times (p = 0.001 and p = 0.04, respectively), after 4 weeks. However, the addition of tDCS did not yield additional benefits over balance training alone (p > 0.05). (4) Conclusions: These findings underscore the value of instability device-based balance training for enhancing dynamic balance while questioning the utility of tDCS as a combined therapy in healthy individuals.
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Sánchez-Barbadora et al. (2025) conducted an RCT in Healthy (recreationally active) (n=20). Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with balance training vs. Balance training alone was evaluated on Dynamic balance (Y-Balance Test composite score) (p=0.128). The addition of transcranial direct current stimulation to a 4-week balance training program did not yield additional benefits for dynamic balance compared to balance training alone.
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