The effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on the verbal working memory of amnesic patients with mild cognitive impairment
10.3760/cma.j.issn.0254-1424.2016.04.006
- VernacularTitle:经颅直流电刺激小脑对遗忘型轻度认知功能障碍患者言语工作记忆能力的影响
- Author:
Rongliang HU
;
Zhuoming CHEN
;
Shangwu FENG
;
Songling CHEN
;
Hong WANG
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Transcranial direct current stimulation;
Amnesia;
Cognitive impairment;
Verbal working memory;
Cerebellum;
Digit spans
- From:
Chinese Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
2016;38(4):267-271
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To investigate if anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (atDCS) of the right cerebellum improves verbal working memory in amnesic persons with mild cognitive impairment (aMCI).Methods Thirty-nine aMCI were randomly divided into an observation and a control group using a random number table.The observation group was given atDCS at 1.2 mA for 20 minutes every day for 5 days,while the control group was provid ed with fake atDCS in the same way.Before and after the treatment,both groups were tested using forward and back ward digit spans,word reading,visually cued sensorimotor tests and finger tapping.Results After the treatment,the forward and backward digit spans of the observation group had improved significantly compared with before the treatment and with the control group's improvements.Significant improvement was observed in the average backward digit span of the control group,but not in their forward digit span after the treatment.No significant differences be tween the two groups were observed in the other measurements before or after the treatment.Conclusion Direct current stimulation of the cerebellum may improve the verbal working memory deficits of aMCI.Further research should be conducted to find the mechanism.
