Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation of the Vestibular System on Center-of-Gravity Shift in Healthy Adults

Abstract

[Purpose] This study investigated whether inhibition of unilateral vestibular function by transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) facilitates center-of-gravity (CoG) displacement. [Participants and Methods] Ten healthy individuals participated in this study. During a CoG displacement task, the subjects received 3 minutes cathodal tDCS applied to the right mastoid (tDCS condition) or first 30 seconds sham stimulation. The center of pressure (CoP), the weight load ratio, and the EMG of the lower leg were compared between pre-and poststimulation. [Results] CoP and weight load ratio were significantly shifted to the right by the tDCS. [Conclusion] Vestibular tDCS might be a possible clinical intervention for the correction of displaced standing posture.