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Multi-Session Anodal Prefrontal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation does not Improve Executive Functions among Older Adults

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 October 2019

Junhong Yu Open the ORCID record for Junhong Yu [Opens in a new window] ,
Charlene L.M. Lam ,
Idy S.C. Man ,
Robin Shao  and
Tatia M.C. Lee
Junhong Yu
Affiliation:
The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Laboratory of Neuropsychology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Charlene L.M. Lam
Affiliation:
The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Laboratory of Neuropsychology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Idy S.C. Man
Affiliation:
The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Laboratory of Neuropsychology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Robin Shao
Affiliation:
The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Laboratory of Neuropsychology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Tatia M.C. Lee*
Affiliation:
The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Laboratory of Neuropsychology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Institute of Clinical Neuropsychology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangzhou, China
*
*Correspondence and reprint requests to: Tatia M.C. Lee, Ph.D., R. Psych., Rm 656, Jockey Club Tower, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong. E-mail: tmclee@hku.hk
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Abstract

Objective:

Findings from single-session online studies highlighted the potential of using anodal prefrontal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to enhance executive functions (EF) in the context of aging. However, tDCS must be executed as a multi-session offline intervention to ascertain its viability in this context. Relatedly, findings from multi-session studies remained inconclusive. To this end, we examined the effects of multi-session anodal prefrontal tDCS on EF in an intervention.

Method:

The intervention consisted of 15 sessions; in each, healthy older participants (Agemean = 66.7) received either 15 min of 1.5 mA tDCS (Ncompleted = 35) or sham stimulation (Ncompleted = 33) while performing EF training tasks. EF measures were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and 1-month follow-up. Hierarchical linear models were used to examine the effect of tDCS on EF outcomes.

Results:

Both groups of participants did not differ significantly in side effect ratings and attendance. There were no significant tDCS-associated gains in any EF outcomes in the intervention.

Conclusions:

Multi-session prefrontal tDCS did not lead to any significant gains in EF in the current intervention. More research is needed to optimize the use of tDCS before it can be effectively used to enhance EF among older adults.

Keywords

tDCSInterventionExecutive functionsAging
Type
Regular Research
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 26 , Issue 4 , April 2020 , pp. 372 - 381
Copyright
Copyright © INS. Published by Cambridge University Press, 2019

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