• Jeffery J Summers, Nyeonju Kang, and James H Cauraugh.
• Human Motor Control Laboratory, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia; Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK. Electronic address: Jeff.Summers@utas.edu.au.
• Ageing Res. Rev. 2016 Jan 1; 25: 42-54.

AbstractThe use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to enhance cognitive and motor functions has enjoyed a massive increase in popularity. Modifying neuroplasticity via non-invasive cortical stimulation has enormous potential to slow or even reverse declines in functions associated with ageing. The current meta-analysis evaluated the effects of tDCS on cognitive and motor performance in healthy older adults. Of the 81 studies identified, 25 qualified for inclusion. A random effects model meta-analysis revealed a significant overall standardized mean difference equal to 0.53 (SE=0.09; medium heterogeneity: I(2)=57.08%; and high fail-safe: N=448). Five analyses on moderator variables indicated significant tDCS beneficial effects: (a) on both cognitive and motor task performances, (b) across a wide-range of cognitive tasks, (c) on specific brain areas, (d) stimulation offline (before) or online (during) the cognitive and motor tasks. Although the meta-analysis revealed robust support for enhancing both cognitive and motor performance, we outline a number of caveats on the use of tDCS.Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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