Pilot Study of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

Not Applicable

Completed

Interventions: Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
Device: Sham Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
Behavioral: Cognitive Training Program

Brief Summary: This study will test the tolerability and preliminary efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with a cognitive training program, remotely-delivered using a telemedicine protocol in 60 adults with multiple sclerosis (MS). The study will evaluate the efficacy of tDCS to evaluate two of the most debilitating symptoms of MS: cognitive impairment and fatigue.

Detailed Description: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been demonstrated to:

1. successfully treat fatigue in adults with MS, and

2. improve learning ability and other aspects of cognitive functioning in healthy controls and in participants with a range of medical disorders.

Cognitive impairment in MS remains a major treatment challenge and a trial of tDCS combined with a cognitive training program to treat MS-related cognitive impairment is warranted. However, one barrier for the study of tDCS has been the need for the participant to travel to the study site for each tDCS administration. To address this issue, the biomedical company Soterix, has recently designed a remote-delivery tDCS device designed for use in clinical trials. Therefore, the primary goal of this study is to establish a protocol for remotely-supervised in-home tDCS delivery for studies with MS participants. Established safety and feasibility of remotely-supervised tDCS delivery will facilitate the next steps of larger controlled trials, in both MS as well as other conditions, to determine efficacy and appropriate real-world use.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Ages 18-70
Definite MS diagnosis, all subtypes [95]
MS-related changes in cognitive functioning
A score of 6.5 or lesson the Expanded
Disability Status Scale (EDSS) OR more than 6.5 with proxy
Has stable and continuous access to internet service at home compatible with the study laptop (Wi-Fi or ethernet cable)
Adequate internet capacity for remote monitoring, as tested by http://www.speedtest.net/)
Adequate home facilities (enough space, access to quiet and distraction free area)
Able to commit to the two-week period of training sessions with baseline and follow-up visits.
Able to understand the informed consent process and provide consent to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria

Visual, auditory and motor deficits that would prevent full ability to understand study instructions or operate the tDCS device or study laptop, as judged by treating neurologist or study staff
Relapse or steroid use in previous month
History of mental retardation, pervasive developmental disorder or other neurological condition associated with cognitive impairment
Primary psychiatric disorder that would influence ability to participate
History of seizures or seizure disorder
Current chronic headaches or migraines. In addition, if a subject has had a change in the rate or severity of head pressure, headache, or migraine in the past two weeks, they are excluded.
History of head trauma (e.g., head injury, brain surgery) or medical device implanted in the head (such as Deep Brain Stimulator) or in the neck (such as a Vagus Nerve Stimulator)
Any skin disorder/sensitive skin (e.g., eczema, severe rashes), blisters, open wounds, burn including sunburns, cuts or irritation, or other skin defects which compromise the integrity of the skin at or near stimulation locations (where electrodes are placed)
Treatment for a communicable skin disorder currently or over the past 12 months

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)	Cognitive Training Program	-
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)	Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)	-
Sham Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)	Sham Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation	-
Sham Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)	Cognitive Training Program	-

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
The Number of Participants Completing at Least 80% of the Targeted Sessions.	Four Weeks	80% is equivalent to n=16 of the targeted 20 transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) or sham tDCS sessions.
Change in Total Score of the Brief International Assessment of Cognition in MS (BICAMS)	Baseline, Four Weeks	BICAMS comprises two tests, the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) and the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R). Scoring for SDMT involves summing the number of correct substitutions within the 90 second interval (max = 110. The higher the score, the better). Visual/spatial memory is assessed in BICAMS using the BVMTR. In this test, six abstract designs are presented for 10 sec. The display is removed from view and patients render the stimuli via pencil on paper manual responses. Each design receives from 0 to 2 points representing accuracy and location. Thus, scores range from 0 to 12 (the higher the score, the better). The total score range for BICAMS is 0-122. The higher the score, the better.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in Score of CogState Brief Battery (CBB)	Baseline, 4 Week	CBB is a brief, computer-administered cognitive test battery that requires approximately 10 minutes for administration. If the CBB score falls between -10 to +10, it is considered normal. CogState scoring is such that 0 could be considered as performing in the average range for that subtest compared to people of similar age. A negative score means that the performance was lower than average, and a positive score means the performance was higher than average. Higher positive scores (for instance 0.2 becoming 0.5) may indicate slightly better performance and higher negative scores (for instance, -0.4 becoming -0.8) may indicate slightly worsening performance.
Change in Score on Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS)	Baseline, 4 Weeks	MFIS consists of 21 statements. The number that best indicates how often fatigue has affected the participant in the manner described during the past 4 weeks is circled. Answer choices include: 0 - never, 1 - rarely, 2 - sometimes, 3 - often, 4 - almost always. The total score ranges from 0 to 84. The higher the number, the more frequently fatigue impacted the participant during the past 4 weeks.