Document Type : Research Paper I Open Access I Released under CC BY-NC 4.0 license
Authors
1 Department of Physical Education, Isfahan(Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
2 Assistant Professor of Department of Physical Education, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran
3 Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Babol University, Babol, Iraq
4 Faculty of Sport Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan (Khorasgan) branch, Isfahan, Iran, P.O.Box: 595-158
Abstract
Introduction: Although transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the cerebellum appears to be an effective method for improving balance in elderly individuals compared to other brain regions, no comparative studies have been conducted on the effects of tDCS on the cerebellum versus the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) on static balance in elderly men. The present study aimed to compare the effects of tDCS on the cerebellum and dlPFC on static balance in elderly men.
Methods: This semi-experimental study employed a pre-test-post-test design with 60 healthy elderly men aged 60 to 80 who volunteered to participate. Participants were randomly assigned to four groups of 15 individuals each: tDCS of the cerebellum, tDCS of the left dlPFC, sham tDCS of the cerebellum, and sham tDCS of the dlPFC. Static balance was assessed pre- and post-intervention using a force plate over three 30-second attempts. The intervention lasted two weeks, consisting of five consecutive sessions per week, each session lasting 20 minutes. Data were analyzed using univariate covariance analysis.
Results: The findings indicated that both tDCS of the cerebellum and dlPFC significantly improved static balance (anterior-posterior and central-lateral displacement of the center of pressure) in elderly men (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the effects of tDCS on the cerebellum and dlPFC regarding static balance in elderly men (P>0.05).
Conclusion: Based on the results of the study, it is recommended that trainers and geriatric specialists utilize the benefits of tDCS on the cerebellum and dlPFC to improve static balance in elderly men.
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