Os efeitos da estimulação transcraniana por corrente contínua (ETCC) associada ao treinamento com vídeo game no controle postural e equilíbrio de idosos, ensaio clínico, cego, controlado, randomizado

Abstract

Introduction: Video-game therapies and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) have ensured good results for improved postural control (PC) and balance, but the combination of the two associated techniques has not been tested in the elderly. Objective: To verify the effect of tDCS associated with videogame balance therapy (VBT) on PC, balance and quality of life (QOL) of the elderly. Method: Controlled, randomized, blinded clinical trial. Fifty-five elderly, 70.9 ± 7.6 years old, both sexes, participated in the study. Pre- and post-treatment and 30-day follow-up (FU) evaluations using the Mini Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini BESTest) for balance, Posturography for CP, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument (WHOQOL) for QOL. Subjects were randomized into 3 groups: G1 (VBT), G2 (VBT associated with active tDCS), G3 (VBT associated with tDCS Sham). The tDCS was applied with the anode electrode placed over the prefrontal cortex on the left lateral dorsum (F3) and cathode in the right supraorbital region, intensity of 2mA, for 20 minutes. VBT was performed with the Nintendo Wii Fit videogame twice a week for 4 weeks, totaling 8, 20-minute sessions. Results: Equilibrium: there was an improvement in intragroup balance G1 (4.89; p = 0.01), G2 (4.84; p = 0.01), G3 (2.88; p = 0.01), maintaining significant after 30 days. There was no statistically significant difference (0.07) between groups. PC: There were no intragroup and intergroup differences. QOL: there was improvement only for G2 (p = 0.01), remaining significant after FU. There was no intergroup difference (p = 0.56). Conclusion: The ETCC did not potentiate the effects of VBT on balance and PC and QOL.