Six weeks of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with resistance training improves motor learning in healthy young adults.

At 3 weeks, both combined groups (tDCS+resistance training and sham tDCS+resistance training) showed faster reaction times across multiple blocks compared to tDCS-alone and control groups.

• All p values ≤ 0.047 for comparisons between combined groups and tDCS-alone or CON groups at T1
• Motor learning was assessed using the serial reaction time task (SRTT)
• Interventions were conducted twice weekly for 6 weeks with assessments at baseline (T0), after 3 weeks (T1), after 6 weeks (T2), and 1 week post-intervention (T3)
• 52 healthy young adult males were randomly assigned to four groups

After 6 weeks, the tDCS combined with resistance training group showed significant improvements in motor learning compared to the sham tDCS combined with resistance training group and the control group.

• Comparison between tDCS+resistance training and sham tDCS+resistance training at T2: p = 0.040
• Comparison between tDCS+resistance training and CON at T2: p = 0.027
• No significant improvements were observed for the tDCS+resistance training group compared to other groups at T1 or T3 (all p values ≥ 0.054)

Neither tDCS alone nor sham tDCS combined with resistance training improved sequence-specific learning compared to the control group at any time point.

• All p values ≥ 0.158 for comparisons of tDCS alone and sham tDCS+resistance training vs. CON across all time points
• Sequence-specific learning was measured via the SRTT
• This finding held across T1, T2, and T3 assessment points

The motor learning improvements observed following tDCS combined with resistance training diminished after training cessation.

• No significant improvements were found for the tDCS+resistance training group compared to other groups at T3 (1 week post-intervention; all p values ≥ 0.054)
• T3 assessment was conducted 1 week after the end of the 6-week intervention
• This suggests the benefits of combined tDCS and resistance training on motor learning were not retained in the short-term post-training period

The study employed a 4-group randomized design with tDCS applied over the primary motor cortex at 2 mA for 20 minutes per session twice weekly for 6 weeks.

• Four groups: (1) tDCS combined with resistance training, (2) sham tDCS combined with resistance training, (3) tDCS alone, (4) sham tDCS (CON)
• Sample size: 52 healthy young adult males
• tDCS parameters: 2 mA, 20 min per session, targeting the primary motor cortex
• Lower-limb resistance training was used as the exercise intervention
• Motor learning was assessed using the serial reaction time task (SRTT) at four time points