Improvement of motor control in neurological patients through motor evoked potential changes induced by transcranial direct current stimulation therapy: A meta-analysis study.

Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) seems to facilitate and/or inhibit neural activity and improve motor function in neurological patients. However, it is important to confirm such improvements as well as determine the association between neurophysiological changes and the enhancement of motor control.

Research Question: Does the improvement of motor control in neurological patients after transcranial direct current stimulation translate into changes in the motor evoked potential?

Methods: A systematic electronic search strategy was employed to identify studies indexed in the PubMed, BIREME, and COCHRANE databases using a combination of search terms adapted to each database: transcranial direct current stimulation; evoked potential motor; and motor control.

Assessment of functional mobility and gait during a timed up and go test in adults with total blindness.

Background: The loss of vision leads to behavioral and motor adaptations that do not necessarily translate to good functioning with regards to daily tasks.

Aim: To investigate differences in functional mobility in adults with total blindness, and analyze differences in spatiotemporal gait variables with and without the use of a cane, and wearing shoes or barefoot.

Methods: We used an inertial measurement unit to assess the spatiotemporal parameters of the gait and functional mobility in seven subjects with total blindness and four sighted participants during the timed up and go test (TUG) test performed under conditions: barefoot/shod; and with/without a cane (blind subjects).

Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Combined with Treadmill Training on Kinematics and Spatiotemporal Gait Variables in Stroke Survivors: A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Sham-Controlled Study.

The present study assessed the effects of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with treadmill training on spatiotemporal and kinematic variables in stroke survivors using gait speed as the primary outcome. A randomized, sham-controlled, triple-blind, study was conducted involving 28 patients with hemiparesis allocated to two groups. The experimental group was submitted to treadmill training combined with anodal tDCS over the primary motor cortex (M1) of the damaged hemisphere.

Effects of the Interference of Sensory Systems on Postural Control in Congenitally Blind Subjects.

The postural system requires the sensory systems to maintain postural control (PC). Blind subjects use the somatosensory system to keep PC whereas sighted subjects use the visual system. So what happens to PC when challenging the sensory systems? We analyzed the center of pressure (COP) in ten blind and 10 sighted subjects under conditions: eyes open/closed (interference of visual system) and on firm/foam surfaces (interference of somatosensory system).

Brain activity and upper limb movement analysis in children with Down syndrome undergoing transcranial direct current stimulation combined with virtual reality training: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Children with Down syndrome have poorer functional and sensory skills compared to children with typical development. Virtual reality (VR) training could help improve these skills. Moreover, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has achieved promising results in terms of enhancing the effects of physical and sensory therapy by modulating cortical excitability.

The Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) Combined With Proprioceptive Training for Blind Individuals: The Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

To maintain the balance, the postural system needs to integrate the three main sensorial systems: visual, vestibular, and somatosensory to keep postural control within the limits of stabilization. Damage of one of these systems, in this case, the vision, will have a great disturbance on the postural control influencing the behavior of the balance, resulting in falls. The aim of this study protocol for a randomized, controlled clinical trial is to analyze the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with proprioceptive exercises on postural control in individuals with congenital and acquired blindness.

Foot Reflexotherapy Induces Analgesia in Elderly Individuals with Low Back Pain: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Pilot Study.

Introduction: This study evaluated the effects of foot reflexotherapy on pain and postural balance in elderly individuals with low back pain.

Design: Randomized, controlled pilot study. ( = 20) were randomly assigned to 2 groups: individuals submitted to conventional foot massage (control group) or foot reflexotherapy (RT, intervention group) for a period of 5 weeks.

Photobiomodulation using low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for patients with chronic traumatic brain injury: a randomized controlled trial study protocol.

Background: Photobiomodulation using low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been tested as a new technique to optimize recovery of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The aim of this study is to evaluate inhibitory attentional control after 18 sessions of active LLLT and compare with the placebo group (sham LLLT). Our exploratory analysis will evaluate the efficacy of the active LLLT on verbal and visuospatial episodic memory, executive functions (working memory, verbal and visuospatial fluency, attentional processes), and anxiety and depressive symptoms compared to the sham group.

Postural control in blind individuals: A systematic review.

Postural control (PC) requires the interaction of the three sensory systems for a good maintenance of the balance, and in blind people, lack of visual input can harm your PC. Thus the objective is to perform a literature review concerning role of sight in the maintenance of PC and the adaptation of brain structures when vision is absent. Studies were searched from Pubmed, and EMBASE that included individuals with congenital blindness.

Transcranial LED therapy on amyloid-β toxin 25-35 in the hippocampal region of rats.

Excessive Aβ deposition in the brain is associated with the formation of senile plaques, and their diffuse distribution is related to Alzheimer's disease. Thirty rats (EG) were irradiated with light-emitting diode (photobiomodulation (PBM)) in the frontal region of the skull after being inoculated with the Aβ toxin in the hippocampus; 30 rats were used as the control group (CG). The analysis was conducted at 7, 14, and 21 days after irradiation.

Immediate effect of basic body awareness therapy on heart rate variability.

Objective: To determine the immediate effect of a Basic Body Awareness Therapy (BAT) session on measures of heart rate variability (HRV) in healthy young people.

Methods: 13 healthy young subjects of both genders, who showed no illnesses related to the autonomic nervous system (ANS) underwent an ANS evaluation before and after conducting a session of BAT. The assessment of ANS activity was conducted through the HR with the aid of Nerve-Express(®) software.

The effects of transcranial LED therapy (TCLT) on cerebral blood flow in the elderly women.

During aging processes, there is a range of functional changes, where we can highlight the disease related to the central nervous system, such as Alzheimer disease and others forms of dementia. This study investigated the effects of transcranial light emitting diode (LED) on cerebral blood flow in healthy elderly women analyzed by transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) of the right and left middle cerebral artery and basilar artery. Twenty-five noninstitutionalized elderly women (mean age 72 years old), with a cognitive status >24, were assessed using transcranial Doppler ultrasound on two separate occasions: pre-irradiation and post-transcranial LED therapy (TCLT).

Older adults present better back endurance than young adults during a dynamic trunk extension exercise.

Background And Objective: Poor back endurance is a predictor of low back pain. Few studies have investigated back muscle fatigue in older people. The purpose of this study was to compare the back muscle fatigue by endurance time and perceived effort between young and older adults during dynamic exercise.

Effect of trunk extensor fatigue on the postural balance of elderly and young adults during unipodal task.

Muscle fatigue can influence the various mechanisms that regulate balance. Few studies have investigated the effects of trunk extensor muscle fatigue on postural control. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of trunk extensor fatigue during a one-leg balance test in young and elderly adults, as well as to determine the time necessary to recover posture control after fatigue.

Age-related differences in time-limit performance and force platform-based balance measures during one-leg stance.

Poor posture control has been associated with an increased risk of falls and mobility disability among older adults. This study was conducted to assess the test-retest reliability and sensitivity to group differences regarding the time-limit (TLimit) of one-leg standing and selected balance parameters obtained with a force platform in older and young adults. A secondary purpose was to assess the relationship between TLimit and these balance parameters.

Age-related differences in center of pressure measures during one-leg stance are time dependent.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in center of pressure (COP) movement in four time intervals (5, 10, 15 and 30 s) during a one-leg stance test performed by young and elderly adults. Twelve young adults (mean 20 years) and 12 elderly subjects (mean 68 years) participated in this study. The subjects performed three 30 s trials of an eyes open one-leg stance test on a force platform, in which the COP parameter was computed at four points in time from same original COP signal.

Postural balance and physical activity in daily life (PADL) in physically independent older adults with different levels of aerobic exercise capacity.

Balance impairs with aging and may cause mobility limitations and functional decline. We aimed to evaluate postural balance and PADL in physically independent older adults with different levels of exercise capacity. One hundred fifty seven physically independent individuals, aged 60 years or older were evaluated.