Transcranial direct current stimulation enhances delayed retention after 5 days of lower-limb motor skill learning.
J PhysiolJul 25, 2026 (epub)
August Lomholt Kvistad, Lasse Jespersen, Jonas Rud Bjørndal et al.
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In 30 seconds
This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on lower-limb motor skill learning over five days. Participants engaged in a sequential visuomotor tracking task, with results showing that tDCS improved one-week retention of skills compared to sham stimulation, despite no changes in corticospinal excitability.
Key findings
- tDCS did not enhance learning within or between training sessions.
- One-week retention of motor skills was significantly better with tDCS compared to sham stimulation.
- Motor skill practice led to sequence-specific performance gains that transferred to the untrained leg.
- Corticospinal excitability remained unchanged after practice and tDCS.
Why it matters
Understanding the role of tDCS in enhancing motor skill retention can inform rehabilitation strategies for patients recovering from motor impairments, potentially improving outcomes in neurorehabilitation and sports training.