Effect of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation at the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on the cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment: a randomized double-blind controlled trial.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Study the effect of anodal transcranial direct stimulation (atDCS) of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on cognitive function and side effects in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
STUDY DESIGN: Experimental double-blind randomized, sham-controlled trial SETTING: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Tertiary Hospital SUBJECTS: Volunteers with MCI METHODS: Participants (45) who met the inclusion criteria were randomly allocated by block randomization into two groups. The atDCS group (23 participants) were stimulated at 2 mA for 20 min with the anode on the right DLPFC and cathode on the left supraorbital area. The control group (22 participants) received placebo stimulation. Baseline cognitive function was assessed by the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) test. Participants were treated three times per week for four weeks (12 sessions). Cognitive function and side effects were assessed immediately after the first stimulation, the last session and 4 weeks post-treatment.
RESULTS: CANTAB results revealed a significant improvement in the accuracy of the visual sustained attention (VSA) in the atDCS group at all three time points, the spatial working memory (SWM) and visual memory (VM) immediately after the first stimulation and a decreased VM reaction time after 12 sessions. Long lasting effect on VSA and VM were found 4 weeks post-treatment.
CONCLUSION: Anodal tDCS over the right DLPFC enhanced the VSA, SWM and VM accuracy after the first stimulation and reduced the reaction time of VM after 12 sessions. Long lasting effect on VSA and VM were found 4 weeks post-treatment. This study corroborated atDCS as a safe technique to improve cognitive function.
PMID: 32437690 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]
Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2020 May 10;:
Authors: Stonsaovapak C, Hemrungroj S, Terachinda P, Piravej K
