Relationship Between Physical and Pulmonary Function after Combining Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation with Breathing and Balance Exercises in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

• Published in: Journal of exercise physiology online Vol. 27; no. 4; p. 62
• Main Authors: Thamnithis, Panita, Punjaruk, Wiyada, Auvichayapat, Paradee, Tunkamnerdthai, Orathai
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Duluth American Society of Exercise Physiologists 01-08-2024
• Subjects: Balance; Endurance; Muscle strength; Older people; Thailand
• ISSN: 1097-9751; 1097-9751

Thamnithis P, Punjaruk W, Auvichayapat P, Tunkamnerdthai O. Relationship Between Physical and Pulmonary Function after Combining Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation with Breathing and Balance Exercises in Community-Dwelling Older Adults. JEPonline 2024;27(4): 62-74. This study investigated the correlation between physical and pulmonary function after 6 weeks of training that included transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) with breathing and balance exercises in 26 older adults who were cross-sectionally randomized into 2 Groups: (a) a Sham Group; and (b) an Active Group. The participants were assessed for physical function outcomes including static and dynamic balance, lower-limb strength, and physical endurance. Moreover, they were evaluated for respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function after using active or sham tDCS with breathing and balance exercises for 6 weeks. The findings showed a significant positive correlation between physical function (only static balance) with expiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function in the Sham Group (P < 0.05) while the Active Group showed a significant positive correlation between physical function (i.e., static balance, lower-limb strength, and physical endurance) with respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function (P < 0.05). In contrast, there was a negative significant correlation between dynamic balance with respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function (P < 0.05) in the Active Group. This study showed that the association between physical function outcomes and pulmonary function outcomes in the active tDCS are higher than those in the sham tDCS. The findings confirm the benefit of applying active tDCS with breathing and balance exercises to rehabilitate older adults. Key Words: Aging, Physical Function, Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), Pulmonary Function