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Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Combined With Tai Chi for Dual-Task Mobility and Cognitive Function in Older Adults With Cognitive Decline
Sponsor: Shanghai University of Sport
Summary
This randomized clinical trial evaluated the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with Tai Chi on dual-task mobility, cognitive function, and physical function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment or self-reported memory concerns. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either Tai Chi combined with tDCS or Tai Chi alone for 8 weeks. Assessments were conducted at baseline and at Weeks 8, 20, and 32. Outcome measures included dual-task Timed Up and Go (DT-TUG) time, single-task TUG, dual-task cost, Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Basic (MoCA-B), Digit Span Test, balance, gait, lower-extremity function, health-related quality of life, sleep quality, anxiety, and depressive symptoms.
Official title: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation With Tai Chi for Dual-Task Mobility and Cognitive Function in Older Adults With Cognitive Decline
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
65 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
61
Start Date
2024-12-01
Completion Date
2025-08-15
Last Updated
2026-10-07
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
Tai Chi
An 8-week supervised Tai Chi program consisting of 40 planned sessions (5 sessions per week, 40 minutes per session). Each session included a 5-minute warm-up, 30 minutes of Tai Chi practice, and a 5-minute cool-down. The curriculum was adapted from a tailored Tai Ji Quan protocol based on the standardized 24-form Yang-style sequence and included eight forms practiced on both sides when applicable.
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
Model-guided transcranial direct current stimulation targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was delivered using a Starstim system (Neuroelectrics, Barcelona, Spain) with a four-electrode Ag/AgCl gel montage. Twenty stimulation sessions were planned over 8 weeks. Each session lasted 20 minutes and was administered immediately before Tai Chi practice. The montage consisted of an anodal electrode at F3 (+1500 μA) and cathodal return electrodes at AF4 (-545 μA), FC5 (-523 μA), and FC1 (-432 μA). The current delivered through any single electrode did not exceed 1.5 mA, and the total injected current remained below 4 mA. Each session included 59-second ramp-up and ramp-down periods.
Locations (2)
Maogang Town Elderly Care Service Center
Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China
Xinqiao Town Elderly Care Service Center
Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China