Transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation improves locomotor learning in healthy humans

Brain Stimul, 2019 · DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2019.01.017 · Published: March 1, 2019

Simple Explanation

This study investigates whether stimulating the spinal cord with a small electrical current (tsDCS) can improve how quickly and well people learn new walking skills. They focused on backward walking as a new skill. The study found that tsDCS, when combined with backward locomotion training (BLT), helped people learn and retain the backward walking skill better than training alone. The researchers also looked at how tsDCS affected the excitability of spinal motor neurons, finding that it prolonged the exercise-induced down-regulation of these neurons.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

43 healthy volunteers (24 women and 19 men; mean age ± SD, 25.9 ± 4.8 years)

Evidence Level

Level 1, Randomized, sham-controlled, double-blind, parallel design study

Key Findings

1
A single session of anodal tsDCS + BLT elicited greater speed gain at 24 h relative to sham tsDCS + BLT.
2
Anodal tsDCS + BLT resulted in higher retention of the acquired skill at day 30 relative to sham tsDCS + BLT
3
tsDCS prolonged the duration of H-reflex down-regulation following training relative to sham-tsDCS.

Research Summary

The study aimed to determine if anodal transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (anodal tsDCS) could improve training effects on locomotion compared to sham (sham tsDCS) in healthy subjects. tsDCS improved locomotor skill acquisition and retention in healthy subjects and prolonged the physiological exercise-mediated downregulation of excitability of the alpha motoneuron pool. These results suggest that this strategy is worth exploring in neurorehabilitation of locomotor function.

Practical Implications

Enhanced Locomotor Rehabilitation

tsDCS could be a valuable tool for improving locomotor rehabilitation outcomes after neurological injuries.

Improved Motor Skill Retention

The study suggests that tsDCS can improve the long-term retention of newly learned motor skills, which is crucial for maintaining functional independence.

Potential for Sports Training

The findings may have implications for sports training by enhancing the acquisition and retention of novel motor skills, such as backward locomotion.

Study Limitations

1
The study was conducted on healthy subjects, and the results may not be directly applicable to individuals with neurological conditions.
2
The sample size was relatively small, and replication in larger populations is needed.
3
The mechanisms underlying the effects of tsDCS on locomotor learning and H-reflex modulation require further investigation.

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