Dual-hemisphere transcranial direct current stimulation improves performance in a tactile spatial discrimination task

Shuhei Fujimoto, Tomofumi Yamaguchi, Yohei Otaka, Kunitsugu Kondo, Satoshi Tanaka

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that dual-hemisphere transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) could improve performance in a tactile spatial discriminative task, compared with uni-hemisphere or sham tDCS. Methods: Nine healthy adults participated in this double-blind, sham-controlled, and cross-over design study. The performance in a grating orientation task (GOT) in the right index finger was evaluated before, during, immediately after and 30. min after the dual-hemisphere, uni-hemisphere (1. mA, 20. min), or sham tDCS (1. mA, 30. s) over S1. In the dual-hemisphere and sham conditions, anodal tDCS was applied over the left S1, and cathodal tDCS was applied over the right S1. In the uni-hemisphere condition, anodal tDCS was applied over the left S1, and cathodal tDCS was applied over the contralateral supraorbital front. Results: The percentage of correct responses on the GOT during dual-hemisphere tDCS was significantly higher than that in the uni-hemisphere or sham tDCS conditions when the grating width was set to 0.75. mm (all p<. 0.05). Conclusions: Dual-hemisphere tDCS over S1 improved performance in a tactile spatial discrimination task in healthy volunteers. Significance: Dual-hemisphere tDCS may be a useful strategy to improve sensory function in patients with sensory dysfunctions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1669-1674
Number of pages6
JournalClinical Neurophysiology
Volume125
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 08-2014
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Sensory Systems
  • Neurology
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Physiology (medical)

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