title: The application of online transcranial random noise stimulation and perceptual learning in the improvement of visual functions in mild myopia.
abstract: It has recently been demonstrated how perceptual learning, that is an improvement in a sensory/perceptual task upon practice, can be boosted by concurrent high-frequency transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS). It has also been shown that perceptual learning can generalize and produce an improvement of visual functions in participants with mild refractive defects. By using three different groups of participants (single-blind study), we tested the efficacy of a short training (8 sessions) using a single Gabor contrast-detection task with concurrent hf-tRNS in comparison with the same training with sham stimulation or hf-tRNS with no concurrent training, in improving visual acuity (VA) and contrast sensitivity (CS) of individuals with uncorrected mild myopia. A short training with a contrast detection task is able to improve VA and CS only if coupled with hf-tRNS, whereas no effect on VA and marginal effects on CS are seen with the sole administration of hf-tRNS. Our results support the idea that, by boosting the rate of perceptual learning via the modulation of neuronal plasticity, hf-tRNS can be successfully used to reduce the duration of the perceptual training and/or to increase its efficacy in producing perceptual learning and generalization to improved VA and CS in individuals with uncorrected mild myopia.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Psicologia Generale, University of Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Camilleri
authors.affiliation: (b)School of Psychology, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln LN2 1NB, UK.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pavan
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Psicologia Generale, University of Padova, Italy; (c)Human Inspired Technology Research Centre - HIT, University of Padova, Italy. Electronic address: gianluca.campana@unipd.it.
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Campana
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002755:Choice Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009216:Myopia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D009862:Online Systems; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D065908:Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D014787:Vision Tests; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Contrast sensitivity; Mild myopia; Transcranial random noise stimulation; Visual acuity; Visual perceptual learning; tRNS