scholarly journals tDCS and sporting performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis of transcranial direct current stimulation effects on physical endurance, muscular strength, and visuomotor skills

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trish Chinzara ◽  
Gavin Buckingham ◽  
David Harris
Keyword(s):  
Direct Current ◽  
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Muscular Strength ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Endurance Performance ◽  
Physical Endurance ◽  
Sham Control ◽  
Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Visuomotor Skills ◽  
Sporting Performance

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that has been linked with a range of physiological and cognitive enhancements relevant to sporting performance. As a number of positive and null findings have been reported in the literature, the present meta-analysis sought to synthesise results across endurance, strength and visuomotor skill domains to investigate if tDCS improves any aspect of sporting performance. Online database searches in August 2020 identified 43 full-text studies which examined the acute effects of tDCS compared to sham/control conditions on physical endurance, muscular strength and visuomotor skills in healthy adults. The quantitative analysis indicated a small overall effect favouring tDCS stimulation over sham/control (SMD=0.25, CI95%[0.14;0.36]). Effects on strength (SMD=0.31, CI95%[0.10;0.51]) and visuomotor (SMD=0.29, CI95%[0.00;0.57]) tasks were larger than endurance performance (SMD=0.18, CI95%[0.00;0.37]). Meta-regressions indicated effect sizes were not related to stimulation parameters, but genetics, gender, and experience may modulate tDCS effects. The results suggest tDCS has the potential to be used as an ergogenic aid in conjunction with a specified training regime.

scholarly journals Does transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) improve sport performance? A systematic review and Meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trish Chinzara ◽  
Gavin Buckingham
Keyword(s):  
Direct Current ◽  
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Sport Performance ◽  
Physical Endurance ◽  
Eligibility Criterion ◽  
Sports Performance ◽  
Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Online Databases ◽  
Control Sham

The ergogenic potential around neuromodulation techniques using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has increased in excitement over the years, however, research involving its potential use in sports performance has concluded mixed outcomes. This meta-analysis aims to synthesise the diverging opinions of whether tDCS may serve to benefit athletes’ performance. A systematic search was conducted using online databases and reference lists available until September 2019. Randomised full-text studies that examined the acute effects of tDCS compared to a sham/control condition on the outcome measures of physical endurance (isokinetic, isometric or dynamic indexes) or sport directed protocols on healthy adults were included following a prescribed eligibility criterion. A total of 36 studies were included in the review. The quantitative analysis found there to be a moderate effect favouring the control/sham condition suggesting tDCS has no effect on sports performance (SMD =0.31,95%Cl: 0.12,0.50, p=0.002). But a qualitative sub-analysis found there was a small effect favouring the tDCS condition, for isometric, dynamic and sports directed studies. The results suggest tDCS could be used as a potential ergogenic aid if used in conjunction with a training regime. The current synthesised evidence is insufficient to confidently support the use of tDCS in enhancing sports performance.

scholarly journals The Efficacy of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Enhancing Surgical Skill Acquisition: A Preliminary Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 707
Author(s):  
Chao-Ming Hung ◽  
Bing-Yan Zeng ◽  
Bing-Syuan Zeng ◽  
Cheuk-Kwan Sun ◽  
Yu-Shian Cheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Skill Acquisition ◽  
Direct Current ◽  
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Surgical Skill ◽  
Sham Control ◽  
Surgical Performance ◽  
Randomized Controlled

The application of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to targeted cortices has been found to improve in skill acquisition; however, these beneficial effects remained unclear in fine and complicated skill. The aim of the current meta-analysis was to investigate the association between tDCS application and the efficacy of surgical performance during surgical skill training. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the efficacy of tDCS in enhancing surgical skill acquisition. This meta-analysis was conducted under a random-effect model. Six RCTs with 198 participants were included. The main result revealed that tDCS was associated with significantly better improvement in surgical performance than the sham control (Hedges’ g = 0.659, 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) = 0.383 to 0.935, p < 0.001). The subgroups of tDCS over the bilateral prefrontal cortex (Hedges’ g = 0.900, 95%CIs = 0.419 to 1.382, p < 0.001) and the primary motor cortex (Hedges’ g = 0.599, 95%CIs = 0.245 to 0.953, p = 0.001) were both associated with significantly better improvements in surgical performance. The tDCS application was not associated with significant differences in error scores or rates of local discomfort compared with a sham control. This meta-analysis supported the rationale for the tDCS application in surgical training programs to improve surgical skill acquisition.

EEG Recordings During Sham Control Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Protocol

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. e13
Author(s):  
Laura Dubreuil Vall ◽  
Mar Cortes ◽  
Dylan Edwards ◽  
Giulio Ruffini ◽  
David Putrino
Keyword(s):  
Direct Current ◽  
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Stimulation Protocol ◽  
Sham Control ◽  
Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Eeg Recordings

A meta-analysis of transcranial direct current stimulation for schizophrenia: “Is more better?”

2019 ◽  
Vol 110 ◽  
pp. 117-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Kim ◽  
Yusuke Iwata ◽  
Eric Plitman ◽  
Fernando Caravaggio ◽  
Jun Ku Chung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Direct Current ◽  
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Direct Current Stimulation
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