Supporting Cognitive Control Training With tDCS
- Conditions
- Cognitive Control
- Interventions
- Behavioral: Effect of tDCS on cognitive control task performance
- Registration Number
- NCT04108663
- Lead Sponsor
- University Hospital Tuebingen
- Brief Summary
Cognitive control (CC) is an important prerequisite for goal-directed behaviour and often associated with dysfunctional prefrontal activity within the cortex. This can be ameliorated by non-invasive brain stimulation. In this randomised single-blind study we compare effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on CC in healthy subjects. The study includes 162 subjects who undergo a two-week (six sessions) training of cognitive control (adaptive paced auditory serial addition task, PASAT) supported by tDCS. Subjects are randomised to receive either concurrent anodal, cathodal, or sham tDCS with an intensity of 1 mA or 2 mA of their left (F3) or right (F4) PFC, resulting in eight stimulation groups. Stimulation effects on performance changes are compared to a sham control group.Changes in Affective state are measured by the positive and negative affect schedule (PANAS), possible transfer effects are assessed by the Eriksen Flanker task. Stability of effects is measured up to three months after the last intervention.
- Detailed Description
Not available
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 173
- Healthy subjects
- Right-handed (assessed by Edinburgh Handedness Inventory)
- No other concurrent brain stimulation during participation
- Proficient in German (min. CEFR level B)
- Ability to strictly adhere to study timeline
- Diagnosed neurological illnesses
- Diagnosed psychiatric disorders
- Achromatopsia
- Metallic implants / tattoos on or near electrode sites
- Consumption of tobacco to an equivalent of ten or more cigarettes per day
- Prior participation in experiments involving the PASAT
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description R2A Effect of tDCS on cognitive control task performance Active tDCS * laterality: right PFC (F4; second electrode placed on deltoid muscle of the opposing arm) * intensity: of 2 mA * polarity: anodal R2C Effect of tDCS on cognitive control task performance Active tDCS * laterality: right PFC (F4; second electrode placed on deltoid muscle of the opposing arm) * intensity: of 2 mA * polarity: cathodal L2A Effect of tDCS on cognitive control task performance Active tDCS * laterality: left PFC (F3; second electrode placed on deltoid muscle of the opposing arm) * intensity: of 2 mA * polarity: anodal R1A Effect of tDCS on cognitive control task performance Active tDCS * laterality: right PFC (F4; second electrode placed on deltoid muscle of the opposing arm) * intensity: of 1 mA * polarity: anodal R1C Effect of tDCS on cognitive control task performance Active tDCS * laterality: right PFC (F4; second electrode placed on deltoid muscle of the opposing arm) * intensity: of 1 mA * polarity: cathodal L1A Effect of tDCS on cognitive control task performance Active tDCS * laterality: left PFC (F3; second electrode placed on deltoid muscle of the opposing arm) * intensity: of 1 mA * polarity: anodal L1C Effect of tDCS on cognitive control task performance Active tDCS * laterality: left PFC (F3; second electrode placed on deltoid muscle of the opposing arm) * intensity: of 1 mA * polarity: cathodal Sham Effect of tDCS on cognitive control task performance Sham tDCS (ramp up and ramp down of electrical current before as well as after task performance to elicit physical sensations similar to verum tDCS) L2C Effect of tDCS on cognitive control task performance Active tDCS * laterality: left PFC (F3; second electrode placed on deltoid muscle of the opposing arm) * intensity: of 2 mA * polarity: cathodal
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Cognitive performance 2 to 14 weeks Changes in performance in the PASAT (as assessed by number of correct trials within each PASAT session) due to the various tDCS interventions. All eight interventions will be compared to the sham group. Cognitive performance is modified by tDCS, which is applied through a multi-channel stimulator (DC-Stimulator MC, NeuroConn GmbH, Ilmenau, Germany; software version 1.3.8; two rectangular rubber electrodes (5 x 7 cm)).
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Affective state 2 weeks Changes in affective state over the course of the experiment (assessed by the positive and negative affect schedule (PANAS) questionnaire). Scores are calculated for negative and positive affect separately, by summing up the respective answers.
Transfer effect 3 weeks Transfer effects in the Eriksen Flanker task (assessed through mean reaction times). Means are calculated for congruent, incongruent, and neutral trials respectively.
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
University of Tübingen, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
🇩🇪Tübingen, Germany