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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02538094

tDCS and Cognition in Adults With Multiple Sclerosis or Encephalitis

This research is being done to determine whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can improve certain mental abilities in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) or encephalitis. Participants will be asked to come in daily for two full weeks during which time participants will undergo cognitive testing and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) brain scans. In this research, a very weak electrical current is administered to the surface of the scalp while participants complete cognitive tasks. The investigators' aim is to find out whether tDCS will improve task performance in adults with multiple sclerosis or encephalitis.

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Key information

Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis Autoimmune Diseases Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS Demyelinating Diseases Encephalitis Immune System Diseases Nervous System Diseases Neuroinflammatory Diseases

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Johns Hopkins East Baltimore Campus; Medical Psychiatry department

Baltimore, Maryland, 21287, United States

About this study

Participants enrolled into this study may be asked to do the following:

  • Come to the investigators' testing office at the Johns Hopkins Hospital where the tDCS equipment is located for 10 study visits.
  • Grant permission for the researchers to view medical records associated with the participant's diagnosis of multiple sclerosis or encephalitis (if applicable) and general state of health.
  • Complete a questionnaire and provide a health history in order to verify eligibility to participate and be able to safely undergo the experimental procedures.
  • Complete several computerized, written, and/or aural tasks (i.e., saying words out loud) that assess different cognitive functions such as attention, memory, language, or processing speed.
  • Wear electrodes that will be placed on the scalp with a large rubberized band. These electrodes will administer very weak electrical current (tDCS) for 30 minutes.
  • Participate in several study conditions. The exact conditions and the order will be randomized. That is, the conditions and order will vary by chance (like the flip of a coin). Under some conditions, the participant might receive active stimulation (tDCS) and under other conditions, the participant might receive placebo (or sham) stimulation. Placebo stimulation is similar to active tDCS but lasts only a few seconds. However, all groups will wear the electrodes for the same length of time to prevent the participant from knowing whether participants are receiving active tDCS or sham stimulation. The study doctor and research staff will know which group the participant is in.
  • Permission to audio and/or video-tape test sessions for later scoring and observation. These tapes will not be viewed by anyone not affiliated with the study without the participant's consent.
  • Have structural, resting-state and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans as a part of the study.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis or encephalitis
  • Over the age of 18

Exclusion criteria

  • A diagnosis of schizophrenia bipolar disorder
  • Beck Depression Inventory-II scores over 20
  • Mini Mental Exam below 24
  • Any uncontrolled seizure disorder
  • Any implanted metal device or hearing aids
  • Use of medication shown to interact with tDCS effectiveness

Treatment and study plan

Sham Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Device

Delivery of sham stimulation for 30 minutes using Neuro-Conn Direct Current (DC) Stimulator Plus.

Other names: tDCS

anodal transcranial direct current stimulation

Device

Delivery of transcranial direct current stimulation for 30 minutes.

Other names: tDCS

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Cognition as Assessed by Change in Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test Scores

    Time frame: Assessed at beginning and end of a 5-day treatment week

    Change in performance on an individual cognitive test measure raw score from the Minimal Assessment of Cognitive Function in Multiple Sclerosis (MACFIMS) battery tests (i.e. Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test scores). Change scores range from -120 to + 120. Positive change scores reflect improvement at the end of the intervention relative to baseline. Negative change scores reflect decline at the end of the intervention relative to baseline.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Fatigue as Assessed by Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory 30-item Short Form (MFSI-SF) Total Scores

    Time frame: Assessed at beginning and end of a 5-day treatment week

    Fatigue was measured via changes in self-reported fatigue on the Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory 30-item short form (MFSI-SF) total score over the course of active and sham tDCS. Change scores range from -84 to + 84. Positive change values reflect increased symptom burden at the end of the intervention relative to baseline. Negative change scores reflect reduced symptom burden at the end of the intervention relative to baseline.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Johns Hopkins University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Cognition in Adults With Multiple Sclerosis or Encephalitis

Important dates

Study start
2014
Primary completion
2019
Study completion
2019
First posted
Sep 2, 2015
Registry last updated
Apr 6, 2020

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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