Can visual cortex non-invasive brain stimulation improve normal visual function? A systematic review and meta-analysis
ObjectiveMultiple studies have explored the use of visual cortex non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) to enhance visual function. These studies vary in sample size, outcome measures, and methodology. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analyses to assess the effects of NIBS on visual function...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Neuroscience |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2023.1119200/full |
| _version_ | 1811161711970877440 |
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| author | Umar M. Bello Umar M. Bello Jingying Wang Adela S. Y. Park Ken W. S. Tan Blossom W. S. Cheung Benjamin Thompson Benjamin Thompson Allen M. Y. Cheong Allen M. Y. Cheong |
| author_facet | Umar M. Bello Umar M. Bello Jingying Wang Adela S. Y. Park Ken W. S. Tan Blossom W. S. Cheung Benjamin Thompson Benjamin Thompson Allen M. Y. Cheong Allen M. Y. Cheong |
| author_sort | Umar M. Bello |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ObjectiveMultiple studies have explored the use of visual cortex non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) to enhance visual function. These studies vary in sample size, outcome measures, and methodology. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analyses to assess the effects of NIBS on visual functions in human participants with normal vision.MethodsWe followed the PRISMA guidelines, and a review protocol was registered with PROSPERO before study commencement (CRD42021255882). We searched Embase, Medline, PsychInfo, PubMed, OpenGrey and Web of Science using relevant keywords. The search covered the period from 1st January 2000 until 1st September 2021. Comprehensive meta-analysis (CMA) software was used for quantitative analysis.ResultsFifty studies were included in the systematic review. Only five studies utilized transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and no TMS studies met our pre-specified criteria for meta-analysis. Nineteen transcranial electrical stimulation studies (tES, 38%) met the criteria for meta-analysis and were the focus of our review. Meta-analysis indicated acute effects (Hedges’s g = 0.232, 95% CI: 0.023–0.442, p = 0.029) and aftereffects (0.590, 95% CI: 0.182–0.998, p = 0.005) of tES on contrast sensitivity. Visual evoked potential (VEP) amplitudes were significantly enhanced immediately after tES (0.383, 95% CI: 0.110–0.665, p = 0.006). Both tES (0.563, 95% CI: 0.230–0.896, p = 0.001) and anodal-transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) alone (0.655, 95% CI: 0.273–1.038, p = 0.001) reduced crowding in peripheral vision. The effects of tES on visual acuity, motion perception and reaction time were not statistically significant.ConclusionThere are significant effects of visual cortex tES on contrast sensitivity, VEP amplitude, an index of cortical excitability, and crowding among normally sighted individuals. Additional studies are required to enable a comparable meta-analysis of TMS effects. Future studies with robust experimental designs are needed to extend these findings to populations with vision loss.Clinical trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov/, identifier CRD42021255882. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T06:18:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b89762654b15475aa51df6974bf49761 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1662-453X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T06:18:48Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Neuroscience |
| spelling | doaj.art-b89762654b15475aa51df6974bf497612023-03-02T05:28:47ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neuroscience1662-453X2023-03-011710.3389/fnins.2023.11192001119200Can visual cortex non-invasive brain stimulation improve normal visual function? A systematic review and meta-analysisUmar M. Bello0Umar M. Bello1Jingying Wang2Adela S. Y. Park3Ken W. S. Tan4Blossom W. S. Cheung5Benjamin Thompson6Benjamin Thompson7Allen M. Y. Cheong8Allen M. Y. Cheong9Centre for Eye and Vision Research, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaDepartment of Physiotherapy and Paramedicine, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, United KingdomSchool of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaCentre for Eye and Vision Research, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaCentre for Eye and Vision Research, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaCentre for Eye and Vision Research, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaCentre for Eye and Vision Research, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaSchool of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, CanadaCentre for Eye and Vision Research, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaSchool of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaObjectiveMultiple studies have explored the use of visual cortex non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) to enhance visual function. These studies vary in sample size, outcome measures, and methodology. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analyses to assess the effects of NIBS on visual functions in human participants with normal vision.MethodsWe followed the PRISMA guidelines, and a review protocol was registered with PROSPERO before study commencement (CRD42021255882). We searched Embase, Medline, PsychInfo, PubMed, OpenGrey and Web of Science using relevant keywords. The search covered the period from 1st January 2000 until 1st September 2021. Comprehensive meta-analysis (CMA) software was used for quantitative analysis.ResultsFifty studies were included in the systematic review. Only five studies utilized transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and no TMS studies met our pre-specified criteria for meta-analysis. Nineteen transcranial electrical stimulation studies (tES, 38%) met the criteria for meta-analysis and were the focus of our review. Meta-analysis indicated acute effects (Hedges’s g = 0.232, 95% CI: 0.023–0.442, p = 0.029) and aftereffects (0.590, 95% CI: 0.182–0.998, p = 0.005) of tES on contrast sensitivity. Visual evoked potential (VEP) amplitudes were significantly enhanced immediately after tES (0.383, 95% CI: 0.110–0.665, p = 0.006). Both tES (0.563, 95% CI: 0.230–0.896, p = 0.001) and anodal-transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) alone (0.655, 95% CI: 0.273–1.038, p = 0.001) reduced crowding in peripheral vision. The effects of tES on visual acuity, motion perception and reaction time were not statistically significant.ConclusionThere are significant effects of visual cortex tES on contrast sensitivity, VEP amplitude, an index of cortical excitability, and crowding among normally sighted individuals. Additional studies are required to enable a comparable meta-analysis of TMS effects. Future studies with robust experimental designs are needed to extend these findings to populations with vision loss.Clinical trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov/, identifier CRD42021255882.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2023.1119200/fullnon-invasive brain stimulationvisual functionmeta-analysestranscranial direct current stimulationtranscranial electrical stimulationcontrast sensitivity |
| spellingShingle | Umar M. Bello Umar M. Bello Jingying Wang Adela S. Y. Park Ken W. S. Tan Blossom W. S. Cheung Benjamin Thompson Benjamin Thompson Allen M. Y. Cheong Allen M. Y. Cheong Can visual cortex non-invasive brain stimulation improve normal visual function? A systematic review and meta-analysis Frontiers in Neuroscience non-invasive brain stimulation visual function meta-analyses transcranial direct current stimulation transcranial electrical stimulation contrast sensitivity |
| title | Can visual cortex non-invasive brain stimulation improve normal visual function? A systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full | Can visual cortex non-invasive brain stimulation improve normal visual function? A systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_fullStr | Can visual cortex non-invasive brain stimulation improve normal visual function? A systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Can visual cortex non-invasive brain stimulation improve normal visual function? A systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_short | Can visual cortex non-invasive brain stimulation improve normal visual function? A systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_sort | can visual cortex non invasive brain stimulation improve normal visual function a systematic review and meta analysis |
| topic | non-invasive brain stimulation visual function meta-analyses transcranial direct current stimulation transcranial electrical stimulation contrast sensitivity |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2023.1119200/full |
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