Evidence mapPaperPMID 41551308Full record

ReviewFrontiers in neurology2025

Research progress on transcranial direct current stimulation for improving muscle strength: a narrative review.

Yiguang Zhang, Yi Zhang, Yu Song, Huaduo Wu, Xin Gao, Yumo Dong, Ning Jiang

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Frontiers in neurology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Yiguang ZhangTianjin Key Laboratory of Exercise Physiology and Sports Medicine, The Key Laboratory of Physical Health Integration and Health Promotion in Tianjin, Institute of Sport, Exercise & Health, Tianjin University of Sport, Tianjin, China.
Yi ZhangTianjin Key Laboratory of Exercise Physiology and Sports Medicine, The Key Laboratory of Physical Health Integration and Health Promotion in Tianjin, Institute of Sport, Exercise & Health, Tianjin University of Sport, Tianjin, China.
Yu SongTianjin Key Laboratory of Exercise Physiology and Sports Medicine, The Key Laboratory of Physical Health Integration and Health Promotion in Tianjin, Institute of Sport, Exercise & Health, Tianjin University of Sport, Tianjin, China.
Huaduo WuTianjin Key Laboratory of Exercise Physiology and Sports Medicine, The Key Laboratory of Physical Health Integration and Health Promotion in Tianjin, Institute of Sport, Exercise & Health, Tianjin University of Sport, Tianjin, China.
Xin GaoTianjin Key Laboratory of Exercise Physiology and Sports Medicine, The Key Laboratory of Physical Health Integration and Health Promotion in Tianjin, Institute of Sport, Exercise & Health, Tianjin University of Sport, Tianjin, China.
Yumo DongTianjin Key Laboratory of Exercise Physiology and Sports Medicine, The Key Laboratory of Physical Health Integration and Health Promotion in Tianjin, Institute of Sport, Exercise & Health, Tianjin University of Sport, Tianjin, China.
Ning JiangTianjin Key Laboratory of Exercise Physiology and Sports Medicine, The Key Laboratory of Physical Health Integration and Health Promotion in Tianjin, Institute of Sport, Exercise & Health, Tianjin University of Sport, Tianjin, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Muscle strength plays a fundamental role in enhancing sports performance, preventing sports injuries, and improving overall quality of life. In recent years, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has garnered significant attention in the field of motor performance enhancement. As a non-invasive brain stimulation technique, tDCS applies weak, constant direct current through electrode plates placed on the scalp to modulate neural excitability in specific areas of the cerebral cortex. However, the effects of tDCS on improving muscle strength remain inconsistent, and its exact mechanisms are still unclear. Further research is warranted to clarify its efficacy. This review summarizes research on the influence of tDCS interventions on muscle strength, focusing on maximum muscle strength, explosive power, and muscle endurance. It aims to analyze the outcomes of tDCS interventions across various sports tasks, and to discuss potential mechanisms through which tDCS may affect muscle strength. The collected evidence suggests that tDCS has the potential to influence muscle strength; however, considerable variations in its effects on athletes' specific skills may be related to individual differences and varying stimulation protocols. This review consolidates existing evidence and offers relevant suggestions for future research, providing a theoretical foundation for the application of tDCS to improving muscle strength.

Indexed as

explosive powermaximum muscle strengthmotor unit recruitmentmuscle enduranceneuromusculartranscranial direct current stimulation

Identifiers

PMID41551308
PMCPMC12807968

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.