Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice ›› 2024, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (8): 957-964.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2024.08.011

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Effect of online and offline high definition transcranial direct current stimulation on finger motor skill learning in healthy adults: a randomized controlled trial

NIU Maolin1, ZHAO Tan1, LIU Xiaoli2, GUO Feng1()   

  1. 1. College of Exercise and Health, Shenyang Sport University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110102, China
    2. Affiliated Competitive Sports School, Shenyang Sport University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110102, China
  • Received:2024-05-14 Revised:2024-06-21 Published:2024-08-25 Online:2024-09-11
  • Supported by:
    Educational Department of Liaoning Basic Scientific Research Program (Key)(JYTZD2023133);Liaoning Natural Science Foundation (General)(2022-MS-415)

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the effect of high definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) at different stimulation timings (online and offline) on finger motor skill learning in healthy adults.

Methods From March to November, 2022, 31 right-handed male participants were recruited from Shenyang Sport University and randomly assigned to three groups, who received online, offline or sham HD-tDCS respectively during the three-day sequential visual isometric pinch task learning process. The daily motor skill learning gains, total motor skill learning gains and speed-accuracy function (SAF) were observed.

Results The daily motor skill learning gains increased in all the groups, and it was the best in the online group (F = 24.692, P < 0.001); the learning gains were better in the online group than in the offline group (t = 4.732, P < 0.001) and the sham group (t = 3.839, P = 0.004) on the third day. The total motor skill learning gains were ranked as the online group = the offline group > the sham group. SAF data indicated that the online group outperformed both the offline and sham groups.

Conclusions HD-tDCS can promote the finger motor skill learning in healthy adults, and online HD-tDCS is more effective.

Key words: repetitive high definition transcranial direct current stimulation, online stimulation, offline stimulation, motor skill learning, randomized controlled trial

CLC Number: