Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation and multicomponent training on functional capacity in older adults: protocol for a randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial

Introduction When physical activity contains training of at least three components such as balance, coordination and strength, among others, it is called multicomponent training. This type of training is recommended for improving the functional capacity in elderly individuals but has no lasting effects. The association of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with other types of therapy has been shown to facilitate the enhancement and prolongation of therapy outcomes. Aim The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of multicomponent training associated with active or sham tDCS on the performance of functional capacity in the elderly before treatment, after treatment and 30 days after the end of treatment. The secondary objective will be to correlate the performance of the primary outcome (functional capacity assessed by the Glittre Daily Life Activity Test) with walking capacity (by 6-min walk test), balance (with the mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test), functional independence (by the Functional Independence Measure) and quality of life (with the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument). Methods Twenty-eight elderly people from the community will participate in the study, and will be randomized into two groups: 1) multicomponent training associated with active tDCS; and 2) multicomponent training associated with sham tDCS. The multicomponent training sessions will be held twice a week for 12 weeks, totaling 24 sessions. The tDCS will be administered over the dominant dorsolateral prefrontal cortex at the same time as multicomponent training, with an intensity of 2 mA, for 20 min. The evaluations will be made pretraining, after 24 training sessions and 30 days after the end of the training. Discussion We hypothesize that tDCS, when associated with multicomponent training, can potentiate and prolong the effects of this training on the functional capacity of the elderly. If this hypothesis is confirmed, this protocol may contribute to a longer-lasting physical rehabilitation of the elderly, encouraging them to maintain their independent daily activities for longer.