Comparison of stimulation sites enhancing dual-task performance using transcranial direct current stimulation in Parkinson’s disease
摘要
This pilot randomized crossover study aimed to compare the effects of stimulating various transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) target sites to improve dual-task performance in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Nineteen patients with idiopathic PD completed four sessions of 2 mA anodal tDCS for 20 min at randomly assigned sites: the primary motor cortex (M1), left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), ventromedial prefrontal cortex, and sham stimulation. Anodal M1 tDCS induced statistically significant improvements in single-task and cognitive dual-task timed up and go test. Additionally, enhancements were noted in the color-word Stroop test and trail-making test-Trail B following left DLPFC stimulation. However, none of the stimulation sites showed any significant changes in the dual-task effect. Overall, these results suggest that although tDCS targeting the M1 and DLPFC may immediately enhance motor and cognitive performances, respectively, neither has a significant effect on dual-task interference.