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The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) is a widely used method for monitoring the load during training, as it provides insight into the subjective intensity of effort experienced during exercises. Considering the role of brain in monitoring and perception of the effort, several studies explored the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on RPE in different populations. The aim of current study is to review the studies that investigated the effect of tDCS on RPE in three groups including healthy untrained people, physically active persons, and athletes. Nine databases were searched for papers assessing the effect of tDCS on RPE. The data from the included studies were extracted and methodological quality was examined using the risk of bias 2 (ROB2) tool. Thirty‐three studies met the inclusion criteria. According to the meta‐analysis, active a‐tDCS significantly decreased the RPE compared to the sham stimulation. The a‐tDCS could decrease the RPE when it was applied over M1 or DLPF. Regarding the measurement tool, Borg's scale 6–20 and OMNI scale could show an improvement in RPE scale. A‐tDCS is a promising technique that can decrease the RPE. M1 and DLPFC are suggested as the target area of stimulation. From the tools that measure the RPE, Borg's RPE 6–20 and OMNI scale could better show the effect of a‐tDCS. This study demonstrates the impact of tDCS (transcranial direct current stimulation) on RPE (rating of perceived exertion) and addresses the effect of population, tDCS protocol, and measurement tools on the intervention. The most promising outcomes were the use of M1 (primary motor cortex) and DLPFC (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) tDCS in athletics. In addition, Borg's scale 6–20 and OMNI (overall monitoring of the neuromuscular intensity) were the most effective measuring tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Transcranial direct current stimulation and robotic therapy (RT) are two modalities in neurorehabilitation for the improvement of upper limb function in stroke patients. However, the additional effects of the concurrent application of these two techniques compared to RT alone on upper limb function in stroke patients have not been studied yet. We analyzed the effectiveness of concurrent tDCS and RT compared to RT alone on upper limb motor function in stroke patients. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CENTRAL, EMBASE, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database was performed from 2000 to January 1, 2021. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment tool. All statistical analyses were performed in STATA software, version 14, and the Mean±SD was used as the pooled statistics. Results: The result showed that concurrent tDCS and RT had moderate but non-significant pooled effect sizes for upper limb Fugl-Meyer assessment (SMD=0.31, 95% CI, -0.20%, 0.83%, I2=84.1%). Discussion: According to the results of this study, no difference was obtained in the efficacy of concurrent tDCS and RT compared to RT alone on upper limb function in stroke survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Anodal tDCS over the motor cortex has shown positive effects on gait. • Anodal tDCS over the DLPFC improved gait parameters only under DT conditions. • TACS over the cerebellum has shown positive effects on gait. • Conclusions about the efficacy of rTMS, tRNS, or tPCS on gait are premature. Walking is an important function which requires coordinated activity of sensory-motor neural networks. Noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) is a safe neuromodulatory technique with motor function-improving effects. This study aimed to determine the effect of different types of NIBS interventions explored in randomized controlled trials on gait in healthy young and older adults. Based on the PRISMA approach, we conducted an electronic search in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and PEDro for randomized clinical trials assessing the effect of NIBS on gait in healthy young and older adults and performed a narrative review. Fourteen studies were included in this systematic review. According to the outcomes, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the motor cortex and transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) over the cerebellum seem to be promising for improving gait characteristics such as speed, synchronization, and variability. Furthermore, tDCS over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) improved gait speed and reduced gait parameter variability under dual-task conditions. Only one repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation was available, which showed no effects. No studies were available for transcranial random noise stimulation, and transcranial pulsed current stimulation. Moreover, the intervention parameters of the included studies were heterogeneous, and studies comparing directly specific intervention protocols were missing. NIBS is a promising approach to improve gait in healthy young and older adults. Anodal tDCS over the motor areas and DLPFC, and tACS over the cerebellum have shown positive effects on gait. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]