Effects of 400 Hz Transcranial Pulsed Current Stimulation on
Corticospinal and Corticocortical Excitability and Hand Dexterity: A
Double-Blind RCT
Abstract
The effects of 400 Hz anodal and cathodal transcranial pulsed current
stimulation of the primary motor cortex (400 Hz a-tPCS
M1, 400 Hz c-tPCS M1) on corticospinal
excitability (CSE) and corticocortical excitability (CCE) remain
underexplored. This study examined the effects of 400 Hz a-tPCS
M1, 400 Hz c-tPCS M1, and sham
stimulation on CSE, CCE, and hand dexterity, providing insights for
potential clinical applications in motor deficits. In this
double-blinded, randomized, counterbalanced crossover trial, 26 healthy
young adults completed three experimental sessions: 400 Hz a-tPCS
M1, 400 Hz c-tPCS M1, and sham
stimulation, spaced 48 hours apart. Transcranial magnetic stimulation
assessed CSE and CCE, while the Purdue Pegboard Test (PPT) evaluated
hand dexterity. The results showed polarity-specific effects. A single
session of 400 Hz a-tPCS M1 significantly increased CSE
and improved hand dexterity, evidenced by faster PPT completion times (p
< 0.05). Conversely, 400 Hz c-tPCS M1 reduced
CSE but did not influence PPT performance (p > 0.05). Sham
stimulation showed no significant changes. These findings suggest that
400 Hz a-tPCS M1 enhances motor excitability and
dexterity, while 400 Hz c-tPCS M1 selectively reduces
CSE. This study lays a foundation for exploring high-frequency tPCS in
clinical motor rehabilitation.