Fig 1.
The CONSORT diagram for flow of participants.
Data from 31 participants were analyzed eventually. A total of 44 participants were excluded from the eligibility assessment. tDCS, transcranial direct current stimulation.
Fig 2.
6-week Bosu-ball training program.
(a) Single-leg stance; (b) Single-leg stance with leg swing forward-backward (30°-45°); (c) Single-leg stance with leg swing medially-laterally (20°-30°); (d) Single-leg stance with knee bend (20°-30°); (e) Swallow balance; (f) Single-leg stance with leg swing medially-laterally (30°-45°); (g) Single-leg squat; (h) Tossing and catching a tennis ball while maintaining single-leg stance; (i) Single-leg stance with leg swing forward-backward (45°-60°); (j) Bending over to touch the edge of the Bosu-ball while maintaining single-leg stance.
Fig 3.
(A) Electrode arrangement and (B) time-intensity settings of HD-tDCS. tDCS, transcranial direct current stimulation.
Table 1.
The ΔHbO2 (mmol/L*10−7) in each channel and brain area in the two groups before and after the intervention (M ± SD).
Fig 4.
fNIRS channel distribution (A) and ΔHbO2 values in each channel by group and time (B).
tDCS, transcranial direct current stimulation; PMC & SMA, premotor cortex and supplementary motor area; M1, primary motor cortex; S1, primary somatosensory cortex; SAC, somatosensory association cortex. Channels 1–4 indicated left PMC & SMA; channels 11–14 indicated right PMC & SMA; channels 5–6 indicated left M1; channels 15–16 indicated right M1; channel 7 indicated left S1; channel 17 indicated right S1; channels 8–10 indicated left SAC; and channels 18–20 indicated right SAC.
Fig 5.
The scores of each FAAM subscale in the two groups before and after the intervention. tDCS, transcranial direct current stimulation; FAAM, Foot and Ankle Ability Measure; ADL, activities of daily living; 95% CI, 95% confidence interval.
Fig 6.
The ΔHbO2 increments of fNIRS channels that are significantly correlated with the increments in FAAM scores.
ADL, activities of daily living; FAAM, Foot and Ankle Ability Measure.