Sport Sciences and Health Research

Sport Sciences and Health Research

Potential Effects of Single-Session tDCS and Guided Mindfulness on Balance and Pain in Athletes with Patellofemoral Pain: A Pilot Crossover Study

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Masoud Esmaeilnejad 1
Fatemeh Zahra Maleki Gohar 2
Meysam Yavari Kateb 1
Nafisseh Kamali 2
Yousef Moghadas Tabrizi 3
1 Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Science in Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Sport Injuries and Biomechanics, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
3 Department of Sports Injury and Biomechanics, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
10.22059/sshr.2026.409646.1237
Abstract
Introduction: This study examined whether a single session of combined transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and guided mindfulness yields benefits for static and dynamic single-leg balance and pain in athletes with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS).
Materials and Methods: Ten athletes with PFPS completed a pilot randomized, sham-controlled crossover trial. Participants received active tDCS-mindfulness and sham-mindfulness in randomized order with a 1-week washout; they were blinded to condition. Both sessions lasted 20 min with the anode over C3 at 2 mA while participants listened to a brief guided mindfulness recording. In the sham condition, current was ramped down after 30 seconds. Static and dynamic single-leg balance were assessed using the Biodex Balance System (BBS), and pain intensity was rated on a 10-cm visual analogue scale (VAS). Outcomes were compared using analysis of covariance.
Results: Active tDCS-mindfulness improved overall static and dynamic balance and reduced pain compared with sham (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed for the anteroposterior or mediolateral balance subcomponents (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: A brief combined tDCS-mindfulness session may produce immediate improvements in balance and pain in athletes with PFPS. This approach could represent a promising option for practitioners in time-limited settings, pending confirmation in larger trials.
Keywords
tDCS
Mindfulness
Patellofemoral pain syndrome
Balance
athletes
Sport Sciences and Health Research

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 03 November 2026