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Moghadas Tabrizi Y, Kateb M Y, Rezaei Z. A Single Session of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation-imagery for Balance in Athletes With Chronic Ankle Instability. PTJ 2026; 16 (3) :283-294
URL: http://ptj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-698-en.html

Purpose: This study evaluated the combined effects of motor imagery practice (MIP) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on static and dynamic balance in athletes with chronic ankle instability (CAI).
Methods: A randomized, double-blind design was used. Fourteen athletes (mean age, 24.5±2.62 years; 7 females) were randomly assigned to either a motor imagery-anodal tDCS group (MI-AtDCS) or a motor imagery-sham tDCS group. Participants completed a guided imagery procedure with an online tDCS over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Static and dynamic balance were assessed pre-and post-intervention using the Biodex Balance System, which measured medial-lateral, anterior-posterior, and overall stability control.
Results: The motor imagery-anodal tDCS (MI-AtDCS) group demonstrated significant improvements in static and dynamic balance metrics (P<0.05), while the MI-tDCS group did not.
Conclusion: These results suggest that combining MIP with tDCS enhances motor control and balance, potentially through tDCS-induced increased neural excitability. This study provides preliminary evidence that MIP, integrated with tDCS, may augment rehabilitation protocols, thereby improving postural control and mitigating injury risk in athletes with CAI.