A systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of transcranial direct current stimulation on cognitive function in older adults with cognitive impairments: the influence of dosage parameters
Abstract Introduction Numerous studies have demonstrated the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on cognitive function in the older people. This study further explores the impact of tDCS and its dosage parameters on cognitive enhancement in older people with cognitive impairmen...
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BMC
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13195-025-01677-y |
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| author | Thatchaya Prathum Thanwarat Chantanachai Oranich Vimolratana Chotica Laksanaphuk Irin Apiworajirawit Benchaporn Aneksan Kanthika Latthirun Cheng-Ta Yang Wanalee Klomjai |
| author_facet | Thatchaya Prathum Thanwarat Chantanachai Oranich Vimolratana Chotica Laksanaphuk Irin Apiworajirawit Benchaporn Aneksan Kanthika Latthirun Cheng-Ta Yang Wanalee Klomjai |
| author_sort | Thatchaya Prathum |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduction Numerous studies have demonstrated the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on cognitive function in the older people. This study further explores the impact of tDCS and its dosage parameters on cognitive enhancement in older people with cognitive impairments. Methods Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published through November 2023 were retrieved from databases including PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, EBSCO, and the Cochrane Library. Participants were older adults with cognitive impairments, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. AD was diagnosed based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), or the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke – Alzheimer’ Disease and Related Disorders Association (NINCDS-ADRDA) criteria. Dementia was diagnosed using the DSM-V or NINCDS-ADRDA criteria, while MCI was diagnosed using the DSM-V, the Petersen criteria, or assessments such as Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR). Standardized mean difference (SMD) values were analyzed to assess the effects. Results A total of 19 RCTs were included. tDCS significantly improved the Mini-Mental State Examination score both immediately post-intervention (SMD = 0.51, p = 0.005) and at follow-up (SMD = 2.29, p = 0.0003). Significant effects were observed when tDCS was used alone (SMD = 0.39, p = 0.04), at current densities $$\le$$ ≤ 0.06 mA/cm2 (SMD = 0.25, p = 0.04), session durations exceeding 20 min (SMD = 0.89, p = 0.01), up to 15 sessions (SMD = 0.28, p = 0.009), and when an active electrode was placed over the temporal area (SMD = 0.33, p = 0.02). People with AD showed greater improvements compared to those with MCI or dementia (SMD = 0.91, p = 0.02). However, tDCS did not significantly improve memory or executive function. Conclusion tDCS demonstrated efficacy in enhancing global cognition in older people with cognitive impairments, providing insight into optimal parameters for clinical application. However, no improvement were observed in memory or executive function. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-91062bfd2c6a40eaaf5e70b565696df8 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1758-9193 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy |
| spelling | doaj-art-91062bfd2c6a40eaaf5e70b565696df82025-02-09T12:16:13ZengBMCAlzheimer’s Research & Therapy1758-91932025-02-0117112010.1186/s13195-025-01677-yA systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of transcranial direct current stimulation on cognitive function in older adults with cognitive impairments: the influence of dosage parametersThatchaya Prathum0Thanwarat Chantanachai1Oranich Vimolratana2Chotica Laksanaphuk3Irin Apiworajirawit4Benchaporn Aneksan5Kanthika Latthirun6Cheng-Ta Yang7Wanalee Klomjai8Faculty of Physical Therapy, Neuro Electrical Stimulation Laboratory (NeuE), Mahidol UniversityFaculty of Physical Therapy, Neuro Electrical Stimulation Laboratory (NeuE), Mahidol UniversitySchool of Integrative Medicine, Mae Fah Luang UniversityFaculty of Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine, Rangsit UniversityFaculty of Physical Therapy, Neuro Electrical Stimulation Laboratory (NeuE), Mahidol UniversityFaculty of Physical Therapy, Neuro Electrical Stimulation Laboratory (NeuE), Mahidol UniversityDepartment of Psychology, National Cheng Kung UniversityDepartment of Psychology, National Cheng Kung UniversityFaculty of Physical Therapy, Neuro Electrical Stimulation Laboratory (NeuE), Mahidol UniversityAbstract Introduction Numerous studies have demonstrated the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on cognitive function in the older people. This study further explores the impact of tDCS and its dosage parameters on cognitive enhancement in older people with cognitive impairments. Methods Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published through November 2023 were retrieved from databases including PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, EBSCO, and the Cochrane Library. Participants were older adults with cognitive impairments, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. AD was diagnosed based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), or the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke – Alzheimer’ Disease and Related Disorders Association (NINCDS-ADRDA) criteria. Dementia was diagnosed using the DSM-V or NINCDS-ADRDA criteria, while MCI was diagnosed using the DSM-V, the Petersen criteria, or assessments such as Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR). Standardized mean difference (SMD) values were analyzed to assess the effects. Results A total of 19 RCTs were included. tDCS significantly improved the Mini-Mental State Examination score both immediately post-intervention (SMD = 0.51, p = 0.005) and at follow-up (SMD = 2.29, p = 0.0003). Significant effects were observed when tDCS was used alone (SMD = 0.39, p = 0.04), at current densities $$\le$$ ≤ 0.06 mA/cm2 (SMD = 0.25, p = 0.04), session durations exceeding 20 min (SMD = 0.89, p = 0.01), up to 15 sessions (SMD = 0.28, p = 0.009), and when an active electrode was placed over the temporal area (SMD = 0.33, p = 0.02). People with AD showed greater improvements compared to those with MCI or dementia (SMD = 0.91, p = 0.02). However, tDCS did not significantly improve memory or executive function. Conclusion tDCS demonstrated efficacy in enhancing global cognition in older people with cognitive impairments, providing insight into optimal parameters for clinical application. However, no improvement were observed in memory or executive function.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13195-025-01677-ytDCSCognitive impairmentCognitive functionOlder peopleAlzheimer’s diseaseMild cognitive impairment |
| spellingShingle | Thatchaya Prathum Thanwarat Chantanachai Oranich Vimolratana Chotica Laksanaphuk Irin Apiworajirawit Benchaporn Aneksan Kanthika Latthirun Cheng-Ta Yang Wanalee Klomjai A systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of transcranial direct current stimulation on cognitive function in older adults with cognitive impairments: the influence of dosage parameters Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy tDCS Cognitive impairment Cognitive function Older people Alzheimer’s disease Mild cognitive impairment |
| title | A systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of transcranial direct current stimulation on cognitive function in older adults with cognitive impairments: the influence of dosage parameters |
| title_full | A systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of transcranial direct current stimulation on cognitive function in older adults with cognitive impairments: the influence of dosage parameters |
| title_fullStr | A systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of transcranial direct current stimulation on cognitive function in older adults with cognitive impairments: the influence of dosage parameters |
| title_full_unstemmed | A systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of transcranial direct current stimulation on cognitive function in older adults with cognitive impairments: the influence of dosage parameters |
| title_short | A systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of transcranial direct current stimulation on cognitive function in older adults with cognitive impairments: the influence of dosage parameters |
| title_sort | systematic review and meta analysis of the impact of transcranial direct current stimulation on cognitive function in older adults with cognitive impairments the influence of dosage parameters |
| topic | tDCS Cognitive impairment Cognitive function Older people Alzheimer’s disease Mild cognitive impairment |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13195-025-01677-y |
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