Maryam Zoghi

Background: Pain affects 50–75% of individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) and is more common than in the general population. Chronic pain is difficult to manage and may involve motor cortical and sensorimotor network alterations. Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the primary motor cortex (M1) has been explored as a neuromodulatory approach, although its effects and mechanisms remain unclear. Objective: This case series describes longitudinal changes in pain and anxiety following repeated anodal tDCS over left M1 in six individuals with MS-related chronic pain and descriptively reports concurrent changes in transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)-derived neurophysiological measures. Methods: Six adults with MS and chronic pain (≥4/10) received 1 mA anodal tDCS over M1 (10 min stimulation, 25 min interval, 10 min stimulation) in two 5-day blocks separated by 2 weeks (10 sessions total), with usual care maintained. Pain and anxiety (0–10) were assessed before and after sessions and at follow-up. TMS assessed corticospinal excitability and intracortical inhibition and facilitation at baseline, post blocks, and at follow-up. Results: Marked inter-individual variability was observed in clinical and neurophysiological trajectories following repeated anodal tDCS. Response patterns included immediate improvement after stimulation blocks, delayed improvement after the second block, and transient rebound during the inter-block interval. TMS-derived measures showed heterogeneous changes, with no consistent correspondence with clinical outcomes. Conclusions: This case series describes variable changes in pain, anxiety, and neurophysiological measures following repeated anodal tDCS over M1 in MS-related chronic pain. The findings are observational and highlight inter-individual variability, supporting further controlled studies.

The rapid global expansion of 5G technology has increased concerns regarding its potential health effects. Postural balance, a complex sensorimotor function reflecting central nervous system integrity, may be susceptible to electromagnetic field exposure. However, evidence on 5G effects on comprehensive balance outcomes remains limited. This randomized controlled pilot study investigated the effects of short-term exposure to 5G mobile phones on static and dynamic postural balance using computerized posturography. Nineteen healthy adults (mean age: 31 ± 7 years) participated in a randomized crossover design involving three conditions: 5-min exposure, 20-min exposure, and sham. Static and dynamic balance were assessed using the NeuroCom Balance Master, including the Unilateral Stance, Rhythmic Weight Shift, and Limits of Stability tests, which were performed immediately before and after each condition. Two-way repeated-measures ANOVA showed no significant interaction between exposure condition and time (pre vs. post) across all outcomes. Bayesian analyses provided support against detectable exposure-related interaction effects, although evidence for some time-related effects was inconclusive or varied across outcomes. These findings suggest that short-term 5G exposure did not produce detectable alterations in postural control under the experimental conditions tested.

To explore available literature profiling the role of somatosensation on arm function after stroke; from somatosensation to sensorimotor function, arm use, and participation. Studies were included if they had a standardised measure of somatosensation of the arm, in combination with a standardised measure of sensorimotor function, arm use, and/or participation. Ten databases were searched. Outcome measures were classified relative to the International Classification of Functioning framework and somatosensory function was categorised according to which somatosensory modality was assessed. The scoping review included 377 studies. Most studies (74.8%) measured somatosensation and sensorimotor function only; while 18.6% of studies included a measure of somatosensation, sensorimotor function, and arm use. Only 3.7% reported outcomes across the full continuum (somatosensation, sensorimotor function, arm use, and participation). For somatosensory modalities, 49.6% of studies evaluated tactile sensation, 39.0% tested proprioception, 13.8% tested haptic object recognition, 29.2% utilised a test with two or more modalities summed, and 9.3% used neurophysiological tests. Whilst somatosensory function was commonly tested in combination with a measure of sensorimotor function, somatosensation was not commonly tested with a measure of arm use and/or participation. This gap limits a comprehensive understanding of how somatosensory impairments affect real-world activities and participation.

Background: Research on the impact of 5G mobile phone electromagnetic exposure on corticospinal excitability and intracortical mechanisms is still poorly understood. Objective: This randomized controlled pilot study explored the effects of 5G mobile phone exposure at 3.6 GHz (power density: 0.0030 W/m²) on corticospinal excitability and intracortical mechanisms in healthy adults. Methods: Nineteen healthy participants (mean age: 36.5 years) were exposed to 5G mobile phone exposure for 5 and 20 min, approximating the typical duration of a phone call. Corticospinal excitability, intracortical facilitation, short intracortical inhibition, and long intracortical inhibition using single- and paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation assessed before and immediately after exposure were performed. Results: A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA revealed no significant interactions between exposure condition (5 min, 20 min, sham) and time (pre vs. post) for CSE, ICF, SICI, or LICI (all p > 0.15). Bayesian analyses yielded Bayes factors close to 1, indicating inconclusive evidence for both the null and alternative hypotheses. Conclusion: Short-term exposure to 5G mobile phone electromagnetic fields did not produce detectable changes in corticospinal or intracortical excitability. Bayesian evidence was similarly inconclusive (Bayes factors ≈ 1), suggesting that the data provide limited support for either the presence or absence of a detectable effect. Any potential influence of 5G exposure on neural function is therefore likely to be subtle with the present methods. As a pilot study, these findings should be interpreted cautiously and underscore the need for further research using more sensitive outcome measures, extended exposure durations, and vulnerable populations.

Objectives: To identify cognitive domains predictive of dynamic balance performance in older adults and inform targeted cognitive-motor interventions aimed at improving balance and reducing fall risk. Methods: This cross-sectional study used hierarchical multiple regression to analyze relationships between cognitive domains and dynamic balance among 62 community-dwelling older adults (≥65 years). Balance was assessed using the Y Balance Test (YBT) and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), while cognitive function was measured using the Mini-Mental State Examination (global cognition), Stroop Test (inhibition), N-back Test (working memory), and Deary–Liewald Reaction Time Test (processing speed). Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS, version 28, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Although all cognitive domains correlated with dynamic balance, regression analyses indicated that only global cognition and inhibition were significant predictors. Specifically, global cognition significantly predicted both TUG and YBT performance, whereas inhibition uniquely predicted YBT performance (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our findings suggest global cognition and inhibition are key cognitive predictors of dynamic balance in older adults. Assessing these domains could identify individuals at risk of impaired balance, facilitating the design of targeted, personalized cognitive-motor interventions. Future research should investigate cognitively enriched exercise programs, including digital therapeutics and wearable technologies, to effectively target these cognitive domains, enhance balance outcomes, and promote sustained physical activity adherence in aging populations.

With the widespread adoption of smartphones, concerns about increased exposure to non-ionizing radiofrequency have emerged. This scoping review examines the effects of mobile phone exposure on neural oscillations and cortical excitability, focusing on both motor and non-motor regions of the cerebral cortex. A scoping review identified seventy-eight studies that involved healthy individuals and employed electroencephalography and only two studies that investigated transcranial magnetic stimulation as primary technical tools. The findings suggest that mobile phone exposure may affect brain oscillations and cortical excitability. However, inconsistencies in experimental methods across studies make it difficult to draw definitive conclusions. Additionally, research on fifth-generation technology, particularly mmWave exposure from next-generation mobile networks, remains limited and needs further exploration. These gaps highlight the need for more in-depth studies on how mobile phone exposure impacts brain function.

(1) Background: It remains unclear whether cognition influences postural balance in young adults or if stability is primarily maintained through automated motor skills. While previous studies have explored cognition-balance links in older adults and athletes, research on healthy young adults is limited. (2) Methods: This study investigated the relationship between cognitive functions (processing speed, working memory, and inhibition) and postural balance (static and dynamic) in 62 healthy adults (18–50 years). Static balance was assessed using the Sway Medical app, while dynamic balance was measured with the Y Balance Test (YBT). Correlation and regression analyses were performed. (3) Results: No significant associations were found between cognitive function and balance performance, suggesting that postural stability in young adults relies more on automated motor processes than cognition. However, body mass index (BMI) significantly correlated with YBT performance, highlighting the influence of physical attributes on balance control. (4) Conclusions: These findings challenge assumptions regarding cognitive involvement in balance among young adults in routine tasks. Future research should examine whether cognitive demands play a more significant role under increased task complexity, fatigue, or external perturbations. Mobile-based assessments may aid in the early detection of balance deficits, improving interventions in sports and rehabilitation.

Objectives: To determine which cognitive domains predict dynamic balance performance in older adults to guide targeted cognitive-motor interventions to enhance balance and reduce fall risk. Methods: This cross-sectional study used hierarchical multiple regression to analyze relationships between cognitive domains and dynamic balance among 62 community-dwelling older adults (≥65 years). Balance was assessed using the Y Balance Test (YBT) and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), while cognitive function was measured using the Mini-Mental State Examination (global cognition), Stroop Test (inhibition), N-back Test (working memory), and Deary-Liewald Reaction Time Test (processing speed). Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Although all cognitive domains correlated with dynamic balance, regression analyses indicated that only global cognition and inhibition were significant predictors. Specifically, global cognition significantly predicted both TUG and YBT performance, whereas inhibition uniquely predicted YBT performance (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our findings indicate that global cognition and inhibition are key cognitive predictors of dynamic balance in older adults. Assessing these domains could identify individuals at risk of impaired balance, facilitating the design of targeted, personalized cognitive-motor interventions. Future research should investigate cognitively enriched exercise programs, including digital therapeutics and wearable technologies, to effectively target these cognitive domains, enhance balance outcomes, and promote sustained physical activity adherence in aging populations.

Considering the advantages of brain stimulation techniques in detecting the role of different areas of the brain in human sensorimotor behaviors, we used anodal transcranial direct-current stimulation (a-tDCS) over three different brain sites of the frontoparietal cortex (FPC) in healthy participants to elucidate the role of these three brain areas of the FPC on reaction time (RT) during a sequential visual isometric pinch task (SVIPT). We also aimed to assess if the stimulation of these cortical sites affects the transfer of learning during SVIPT. A total of 48 right-handed healthy participants were randomly assigned to one of the four a-tDCS groups: (1) left primary motor cortex (M1), (2) left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), (3) left posterior parietal cortex (PPC), and (4) sham. A-tDCS (0.3 mA, 20 min) was applied concurrently with the SVIPT, in which the participants precisely controlled their forces to reach seven different target forces from 10 to 40% of the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) presented on a computer screen with the right dominant hand. Four test blocks were randomly performed at the baseline and 15 min after the intervention, including sequence and random blocks with either hand. Our results showed significant elongations in the ratio of RTs between the M1 and sham groups in the sequence blocks of both the right-trained and left-untrained hands. No significant differences were found between the DLPFC and sham groups and the PPC and sham groups in RT measurements within the SVIPT. Our findings suggest that RT improvement within implicit learning of an SVIPT is not mediated by single-session a-tDCS over M1, DLPFC, or PPC. Further research is needed to understand the optimal characteristics of tDCS and stimulation sites to modulate reaction time in a precision control task such as an SVIPT.