Context: Postural stability is essential for performing everyday activities. The central nervous system (CNS) must modify balance control to provide stability to intrinsic and external perturbations. Methods considered as the main candidates for ultimate promotion of neural plasticity could be used for rehabilitation to enhance motor performance. The Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) as a non-invasive brain stimulation tool is applied over the cortex to accentuate and/or accelerate neural effects on network connectivity. Objectives: This study aimed to address the impact of tDCS intervention on balance recovery. We postulated that tDCS induces neuroplasticity that is fundamental for refining motor behaviors such as postural stability during rehabilitation. Methods: The present review discusses the tDCS application over the important areas of the CNS that are responsible for the sensorimotor processing of balance-relevant information. We searched ProQuest, PubMed, Science Direct, Cochrane, and Google Scholar for randomized, controlled trials that assessed the efficacy of tDCS intervention in improving balance impairment following neurologic disorders and enhancing postural stability in a healthy population. Results: Recent studies provide insights into the effects of tDCS on postural stability. Based on the defined criteria, there is a positive response to tDCS, but the underlying neural mechanisms are yet unknown. We suggest that interventions promoting more neural plasticity are crucial for better balance training outcomes and improved effectiveness of rehabilitation programs. Conclusions: Balance recovery after tDCS needs to be more investigated. The tDCS might be considered as an adjunct preventive strategy to provide functional recovery and reduce the adverse effects of balance impairment.

Background: Stroke is one of the most debilitating diseases among the adults around the world which leads to persistent rehabilitation needs even at chronic stage. Achievement of good postural control is a critical requirement for daily activities which enhances quality of life in patients with stroke. There is increasing evidence that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) may be considered as a promising adjunct technique to improve motor recovery after stroke. Evidence of augmented neuroplasticity after tDCS suggests that a paired rehabilitation followed by consecutive use of tDCS may optimize recovery outcomes. Although a few RCTs have been conducted on upper limbs rehabilitation in chronic stroke using tDCS, however no study focused on balance training in chronic stroke patients. This randomized, sham-controlled, double-blinded clinical study aims to address brain stimulation targeting postural control using tDCS in chronic stroke. Methods: The study participants will be chronic ischemic stroke individuals with postural control impairments who meet no exclusion criteria. Active or sham anodal tDCS will delivered to lesioned leg motor cortex combined with balance training. Experimental group receive active anodal tDCS stimulation (2mA) for 20 min, daily for 5 days paired with balance training. Linear and nonlinear approaches will be used to analyse postural sway changes pre and post-intervention. Postural sway fluctuation, Functional balance assessment using Berg balance scale, Timed Up-and-Go Test will be compared in active and sham groups. Conclusions: This trial could have significant implications for balance rehabilitation after stroke in the ambulatory setting. If found to be effective, this novel approach may improve rehabilitation protocol in this population.

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