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Transcranial direct current stimulation enhances foot sole somatosensation when standing in older adults

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Abstract

Foot-sole somatosensation is critical for safe mobility in older adults. Somatosensation arises when afferent input activates a neural network that includes the primary somatosensory cortex. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), as a strategy to increase somatosensory cortical excitability, may, therefore, enhance foot-sole somatosensation. We hypothesized that a single session of tDCS would improve foot-sole somatosensation, and thus mobility, in older adults. Twenty healthy older adults completed this randomized, double-blinded, cross-over study consisting of two visits separated by one week. On each visit, standing vibratory threshold (SVT) of each foot and the timed-up-and-go test (TUG) of mobility were assessed immediately before and after a 20-min session of tDCS (2.0 mA) or sham stimulation with the anode placed over C3 (according to the 10/20 EEG placement system) and the cathode over the contralateral supraorbital margin. tDCS condition order was randomized. SVT was measured with a shoe insole system. This system automatically ramped up, or down, the amplitude of applied vibrations and the participant stated when they could or could no longer feel the vibration, such that lower SVT reflected better somatosensation. The SVTs of both foot soles were lower following tDCS as compared to sham and both pre-test conditions [F(1,76) > 3.4, p < 0.03]. A trend towards better TUG performance following tDCS was also observed [F(1,76) = 2.4, p = 0.07]. Greater improvement in SVT (averaged across feet) moderately correlated with greater improvement in TUG performance (r = 0.48, p = 0.03). These results suggest that tDCS may enhance lower-extremity somatosensory function, and potentially mobility, in healthy older adults.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Dr. Xiaohong Chen in Capital University of Physical Education and Sports for the help of participant recruitment. This study was supported by Grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant number 11572003 and 11372013), and the National Institute on Aging (AG025037, AG041785, and 1-K01-AG044543-01A1). Dr. Lipsitz holds the Irving and Edyth S. Usen and Family Chair in Geriatric Medicine at Hebrew SeniorLife. Dr. Junhong Zhou is supported by the Irma and Paul Milstein Program for Senior Health Fellowship Award from Milstein Medical Asian American Partnership (MMAAP) Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hebrew SeniorLife Institute for Aging Research, Harvard Medical School, Roslindale, MA, USA

    Junhong Zhou, On-Yee Lo, Lewis A. Lipsitz & Brad Manor

  2. Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA

    Junhong Zhou, On-Yee Lo, Lewis A. Lipsitz & Brad Manor

  3. Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Junhong Zhou, On-Yee Lo, Lewis A. Lipsitz & Brad Manor

  4. Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China

    Junhong Zhou, Jue Zhang & Jing Fang

  5. College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, China

    Jue Zhang & Jing Fang

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  1. Junhong Zhou
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Correspondence to Junhong Zhou or Jue Zhang.

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Zhou, J., Lo, OY., Lipsitz, L.A. et al. Transcranial direct current stimulation enhances foot sole somatosensation when standing in older adults. Exp Brain Res 236, 795–802 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-018-5178-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-018-5178-6

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