Cathodal tDCS on the motor area decreases the tactile threshold of the distal pulp of the hallux

Satoshi Yamamoto; Daisuke Ishii; Nao Ichiba; Arito Yozu; Yutaka Kohno

doi:10.1016/j.neulet.2018.10.032

Cathodal tDCS on the motor area decreases the tactile threshold of the distal pulp of the hallux

Neurosci Lett. 2020 Feb 6:719:133887. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2018.10.032. Epub 2018 Oct 16.

Authors

Satoshi Yamamoto¹, Daisuke Ishii², Nao Ichiba³, Arito Yozu⁴, Yutaka Kohno⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physical Therapy, School of Healthcare, Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences, 4669-2 Ami, Ami-machi, Inashiki-gun, Ibaraki, 300-0394, Japan. Electronic address: yamamoto-s@umin.ac.jp.
² Center for Medical Sciences, Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences, 4669-2 Ami, Ami-machi, Inashiki-gun, Ibaraki, 300-0394, Japan; Department of Cognitive Behavioral Physiology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chiba, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan.
³ Department of Physical Therapy, School of Healthcare, Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences, 4669-2 Ami, Ami-machi, Inashiki-gun, Ibaraki, 300-0394, Japan.
⁴ Center for Medical Sciences, Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences, 4669-2 Ami, Ami-machi, Inashiki-gun, Ibaraki, 300-0394, Japan.

PMID: 30339919
DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2018.10.032

Abstract

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been reported to modulate cortical excitability. Most studies on this topic addressed the modulation effects of tDCS on the upper extremities. Foot-sole tactile sensation is essential to gait, but little is known about the effect of tDCS on sensory function in the foot area. Here we administered tDCS to 10 healthy adults, and we observed that the modulation effects of cathodal tDCS on the left motor area led to a decrease in the tactile threshold of the left center of the distal pulp of the hallux. This effect was not observed in the sham condition. In addition, the subjects' vigilance levels were not changed between before and after the tDCS. These results suggest that sensation on the sole of the left foot could be modulated by cathodal tDCS on the left motor area.

Keywords: Plantar sensation; Tactile threshold; Transcranial direct current stimulation.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Cortical Excitability / physiology*
Evoked Potentials, Motor / physiology*
Female
Hallux / physiopathology
Humans
Male
Motor Cortex / physiology
Motor Cortex / physiopathology*
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation* / methods
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / methods
Young Adult