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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT02498574

Performance Enhancement and Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation

A promising form of enhancing brain function non-invasively involves stimulating the brain using weak magnetic or electric currents. This method is becoming increasingly popular in both clinical and commercial circles; a number of portable, at-home devices are available on the commercial market for personal use. In this study, the investigators aim to determine factors associated with the enhancement of cognitive and motor learning following transcranial direct-current stimulation in healthy young adults. Understanding how participants respond to brain stimulation is critical to maximizing the effectiveness of stimulation and determining its potential as a performance-enhancing aid for mental tasks. Future developments of this study may also inform the capacity of brain stimulation to act as non-drug alternative to treatment for cognitive decline.

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Key information

Conditions

Executive Function Behavior Brain Stimulation Motor Activity

Age range

18 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Bruyere Continuing Care, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

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About this study

This study involves a single session of anodal tDCS, applied over the motor cortex, while performing a task of motor dexterity. Pre and post stimulation evaluations will assess any effects of the stimulation on motor and cognitive performance.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Participants must be in good health,
  • between 18-35 years of age
  • with no prior history of neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, stroke with paralysis.

Exclusion criteria

  • Participants with cardiac stimulators (pace-makers) and those with metal implants in the skull will be excluded.
  • Pregnant women will also be excluded.

Participants will be required to fill out a brief health questionnaire to ensure that they have no conditions that would prevent brain stimulation.

Treatment and study plan

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Device

Non-invasive brain stimulation applied to the surface of the scalp

Working memory training

Behavioral

Cognitively challenging game played concurrently with transcranial direct-current stimulation

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in ratings on cognitive training survey

    Time frame: Baseline, Post-test following 20-minute stimulation period

    This survey aims to assess participant perceptions on brain stimulation, and includes a series of related questions, rated on a scale of 1-7.

  2. Change in cognitive performance

    Time frame: Baseline, Post-test following 20-minute stimulation period

    We will measure changes in cognitive performance on neuropsychological tests.

  3. Change in game performance

    Time frame: Baseline, Post-test following 20-minute stimulation period

    We will measure changes in performance on a cognitively-challenging game performed concurrently with the non-invasive brain stimulation.

  4. Change in motor performance

    Time frame: Baseline, Post-test following 20-minute stimulation period

    We will measure changes in motor performance on the Grooved Pegboard task.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Bruyère Health Research Institute.

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2016
Primary completion
2017
Study completion
2018
First posted
Jul 15, 2015
Registry last updated
Aug 2, 2019

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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