Discussion
MCI
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to focus on the effects of Tai Chi exercise combined with tDCS on cognitive function in patients with MCI. Among patients with MCI, Tai Chi combined with tDCS was more effective than the other three groups in terms of MoCA, MQ scores, and DSC after 12 weeks of intervention. The results of this study suggest that Tai Chi combined with tDCS improves global cognitive function, memory, and attention in patients with MCI.Currently, most published tDCS studies on patients have focused on the combination of tDCS technology and cognitive training (The results of our study showed that, in terms of global cognitive function, the TCT was more effective than the TCS, WAT, and WAS. There was no significant difference between TCS and WAT, although TCS and WAT showed a more significant improvement than WAS. As an aerobic exercise, Tai Chi induces functional neuroplastic changes in the brain, which prepares tDCS to target and regulate local brain areas (Furthermore, when compared to walking, Tai Chi calls for subjects to pay more attention to the exercise process, the purpose of following their bodies, and the ability to notice tiny changes in their bodies and minds as they perform complicated moves. This may be one of the reasons why Tai Chi combined with tDCS is more beneficial for improving cognitive function in patients with MCI. Therefore, we believe that Tai Chi combined with tDCS may be more effective in improving global cognitive function.Regarding the memory function assessment, the MQ scores of the Tai Chi combined with the tDCS group were significantly higher than those of the other three groups. This suggests that Tai Chi combined with tDCS has a positive effect on memory function in patients with MCI, which is consistent with the findings of previous studies. Ward et al. (Although the present study and Ward's (Attention is the basis of memory production and is closely related to other cognitive domains (An increasing body of research indicates that tDCS and aerobic exercise have synergistic effects, whereby aerobic exercise causes neuroplastic changes across the brain, intensifies local targeting of tDCS to the brain, and improves cognition (This study used a strict randomized controlled approach and strengthened quality control during the intervention to minimize possible bias with the aim of providing reliable clinical evidence. However, this study has some limitations. First, the implementation site of this study was mainly outdoors, making it impossible to avoid the effect of rain on Tai Chi and walking training. Although subjects were asked to practice at home on their own, the efficiency of the intervention was inevitably affected. Second, no follow-up study was conducted, and whether there is a long-term effect of Tai Chi combined with tDCS remains to be explored. Future large-scale, well-conducted, randomized controlled trials with appropriate comparison groups and follow-up arrangements are required to evaluate the long-lasting effects of Tai Chi combined with tDCS on cognitive health.