Introduction: Rehabilitation interventions contribute to recovery of physical function, but it remains a priority to optimize their effectiveness. A promising strategy may involve transcranial direct current stimulation. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation on the balance and walking speed of elderly individuals with fibromyalgia.
Methodology: The statistical population of the research consisted of elderly individuals with fibromyalgia in Urmia city. From this population, thirty four people were selected as a sample using a targeted sampling method, based on the entry and exit criteria. The participants were randomly divided into two groups: walking group + transcranial direct electrical stimulation, and walking group + sham Transcranial direct current stimulation. Before implementing the exercise protocol, 6-minute walking test and Timed Up and Go Test were performed to assess changes in balance and walking speed of the patients. Subsequently, the patients in each group participated in their respective interventions for 12 weeks, with three 60-minute sessions each week. After the exercise intervention, measurements of, balance, and walking speed were taken, similar to the pre-test. Data were subjected to Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) for statistical evaluation
Results :The results showed that the two groups of walking + transcranial direct current stimulation and the walking group + transcranial direct current stimulation of sham in balance (P = 0.42, F(1,31) = 0.65) and walking speed (P = 0.59 ) F(1,31) = 0.28) were not significantly different from each other(p>0/05).
Conclusion: These results provide evidence that transcranial direct current stimulation on the premotor cortex did not improve balance and walking speed in the elderly with fibromyalgia, and it is suggested that more research be done