The Effect of Unilateral and Bilateral Electrical Stimulation of the Brain on Improving Balance in the Elderly

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of unilateral and bilateral electrical stimulation of the brain on balance in elderly.

Thirty-six elderly in Ilam city participated in study. In the pre-test, static balance was taken and then the participants were randomly divided into three groups: unilateral brain stimulation, bilateral brain stimulation and sham. The intervention took in 3 sessions. In unilateral stimulation group, the anode electrode was positioned at O point and the cathode was above the left ophthalmic cavity (FP1). In bilateral stimulation group, the anode electrode was positioned at O1 and the cathode was positioned at O2. The intensity of stimulation was 2 mA and the duration of treatment was 15 minutes per session. In control group, the anode and cathode electrodes were placed on the O and FP1 points, respectively, but the excitation current was stopped after 30 seconds. After the last training session, the post-test was performed. Data analyzed were using one-way ANOVA.

The results showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the three groups in pre-test phase (P<0.535). But at post-test was a difference between groups (P<0.002). Post-hoc test results showed that there was a difference between unilateral stimulation with control group (P=0.001) and bilateral stimulation with control group (P=0.005). But there was no significant difference between unilateral stimulation group and bilateral stimulation group (P=0.599).

In conclusion, it can be concluded that unilaterally and bilaterally cerebellar stimulation can be improved in the elderly.