Does hemispheric lateralization influence therapeutic effects of transcranial direct current stimulation?

Yong Hyun Kwon, Kyung Woo Kang, Na Kyung Lee, Sung Min Son, Yong Hyun Kwon, Kyung Woo Kang, Na Kyung Lee, Sung Min Son

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) polarity depending on lateralized function of task property in normal individuals performing visuomotor and simple repetitive tasks. Thirty healthy participants with no neurological disorders were recruited to participate in this study. Participants were randomly allocated into active or control condition. For the active condition, tDCS intensity was 2 mA with stimulation applied for 15 minutes to the right hemisphere (tDCS condition). For the sham control, electrodes were placed in the same position, but the stimulator was turned off after 30 seconds (sham condition). The tapping and tracking task tests were performed before and after for both conditions. Univariate analysis revealed significant difference only in the tracking task. For direct comparison of both tasks within each group, the tracking task had significantly higher Z score than the tapping task in the tDCS group (P < 0.05). Thus, our study indicates that stimulation of the right hemisphere using tDCS can effectively improve visuomotor (tracking) task over simple repetitive (tapping) task.

Keywords: hemispheric lateralization; nerve regeneration; neural regeneration; task property; tracking task; transcranial direct current stimulation; visuomotor task.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow chart of experimental procedure. tDCS: Transcranical direct current stimulation; min: minutes.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Depiction of protocol of each task. (A) Visuomotor coordination task (tracking task). (B) Simple repetitive task (tapping task).

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