Point-of-care-testing of standing posture with Wii balance board and microsoft kinect during transcranial direct current stimulation: A feasibility study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) is a promising tool for facilitating motor function. NIBS therapy in conjunction with training using postural feedback may facilitate physical rehabilitation following posture disorders (e.g., Pusher Syndrome). OBJECTIVES:The objectives of this study were, 1) to develop a low-cost point-of-care-testing (POCT) system for standing posture, 2) to investigate the effects of anodal tDCS on functional reach tasks using the POCT system. METHODS: Ten community-dwelling elderly (age >50 years) subjects evaluated the POCT system for standing posture during functional reach tasks where their balance score on Berg Balance Scale was compared with that from Center-of-Mass (CoM) -Center-of-Pressure (CoP) posturography. Then, in a single-blind, sham-controlled study, five healthy right-leg dominant subjects (age: 26.4 ± 5.3 yrs) were evaluated using the POCT system under two conditions -with anodal tDCS of primary motor representations of right tibialis anterior muscle and with sham tDCS. RESULTS:The maximum CoP-CoM lean-angle was found to be well correlated with the BBS score in the elderly subjects The anodal tDCS strongly (p = 0.0000) affected the maximum CoP excursions but not the return reaction time in healthy. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the CoM-CoP lean-line could be used for posture feedback and monitoring during tDCS therapy in conjunction with balance training exercises.

Comparison of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation of the Primary Motor Cortex and Cerebellum on Static Balance in Older Adults

“…Similarly, Craig and Doumas (7) found that M1 stimulation had positive effects on the sway amplitude of older adults. In line with studies on older adults, it was reported that M1 facilitation could improve balance in young adults (7,30,31) and patients with Parkinson's disease (32), chronic low back pain (33), and stroke (34).…”

Anodal tDCS over the primary motor cortex improves motor imagery benefits on postural control: A pilot study

“…58 found good test-retest and between-device intra-class correlation coefficient (>0.66). Moreover, the use of the Wii Balance Board as a posture measure tool was validated in young people 31,32 , elderly 59 , persons with Parkinson's disease 60 , visual impairment 61 , and reconstructed anterior cruciate ligament 62 . A software (Polyenco, France) was specifically developed to connect the Wii Balance Board to the computer in order to display the CoP position in a form of a cross on the screen, and randomly picture the targets to validate (Fig.…”

Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation improves adaptive postural control

“…tDCS has a beneficial safety profile (Fregni et al, 2015) and has been shown to allow promotion of long-lasting enhancements of learning and neuroplasticity in health and disease (Cohen Kadosh et al, 2010, Meinzer et al, 2016, Meinzer et al, 2014, Reis et al, 2009. Moreover, a number of previous studies have demonstrated that tDCS administered to cortical sites, like the primary motor or prefrontal cortex, can enhance postural control in healthy individuals (Dutta et al, 2014, Zhou et al, 2014 and in patients with cerebral palsy, Parkinson's disease and stroke (Fregni et al, 2006, Grecco et al, 2017, Kaski et al, 2014, Saeys et al, 2015 However, while previous studies have demonstrated that cerebellar tDCS (ctDCS) can improve motor learning in healthy individuals (e.g., Block and Celnik, 2013, Galea et al, 2009, Hardwick and Celnik, 2014, potential beneficial effects on postural control have not yet been investigated. Such an approach would be of particular interest as an adjunct treatment approach in patients with cerebral lesions where clinicians are interested to facilitate activity in spared cortical regions that rely on cerebellar inputs (Grimaldi et al, 2014).…”