Brain Stimulation & Coaching: Boost Activity in Seniors
Brain Stimulation Shows promise for Boosting Physical Activity in Older Adults
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A Novel Approach to Combating Inactivity and Promoting Healthy Habits
A pilot study from the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research at Hebrew SeniorLife suggests that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS),combined with accessible coaching,can substantially improve physical activity levels and motivation in older adults. The research, published in The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, offers a perhaps groundbreaking approach to addressing the challenges of inactivity-related decline, particularly within underserved communities.
Study Details & Key Findings
The randomized controlled trial investigated the impact of tDCS on goal-directed physical activity in older adults. participants received a short course of brain stimulation alongside coaching focused on increasing walking. Researchers observed high completion rates – 97% of tDCS sessions and 93% of coaching sessions were finished - and consistent Fitbit usage throughout the intervention.Importantly, even during the follow-up “no-contact” retention phase, many participants continued to demonstrate increased activity levels, indicating that the behavioral changes were sustained.
Beyond simply increasing steps, the tDCS group reported improvements in both motivation and perceived walking ability. This suggests that tDCS doesn’t just provide a temporary boost, but may actually enhance the brain’s ability to adopt and maintain new, healthy habits. The pairing with goal-driven coaching proved particularly effective, creating a synergistic effect that amplified positive outcomes.
Overcoming Barriers to access
A key strength of the study lies in its delivery model. The program was conducted entirely within participants’ housing facilities, directly addressing common barriers to access faced by older adults, especially those with limited resources or mobility. This community-based approach could serve as a blueprint for future interventions aimed at promoting healthy aging.
Expert Commentary
“Helping older adults build and maintain healthy habits is notoriously challenging, especially in underserved communities,” explains on-Yee (Amy) Lo, PhD, assistant scientist II at the Marcus Institute.”This study provides early but exciting evidence that a short course of brain stimulation can ‘prime the pump’ – enhancing motivation and helping new behaviors stick – and is encouraging, especially given the setting. The program was delivered entirely within participants’ housing facilities, which removed barriers to access. That model could be a blueprint for future community-based interventions.”
Future Research & Considerations
While the initial findings are promising, the authors emphasize the need for larger, more comprehensive trials to confirm these results and explore the broader applications of tDCS. Further research will focus on understanding how tDCS can be integrated with other behavioral health programs and identifying factors that may influence outcomes, such as cognitive function, baseline activity levels, and the strength of social support networks.
The research team included levi Ask; Melike Kahya, PT, PhD, assistant professor of physical therapy at High Point University; Thomas Travison, PhD, senior scientist at the Marcus Institute; Lewis Lipsitz, MD, director of the Marcus Institute and chief academic officer of the Irving and Edyth S. Usen and Family Chair in Medical Research,Hebrew SeniorLife; and Brad Manor,PhD,senior scientist at the Marcus Institute.
Study Citation
Modulating Brain Activity to Improve Goal-directed Physical Activity in Older Adults: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, Volume 80, issue 6, June 2025, glaf039. doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glaf039
Source: Hebrew SeniorLife hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research (https://www.marcusinstituteforaging.org/)