Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) For Improvement Of Cognitive Functioning, Brain Fog, And Working Memory
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 已完成
- 入组人数
- 10
- 试验地点
- 2
- 主要终点
- Perceived Ease of Use After 4 Weeks of Daily tDCS Use (TAM Score)
研究概览
简要总结
Cognitive impairment refers to when an individual struggles to learn, concentrate, remember, or make decisions. This can be due to underlying neurological diseases (i.e. Alzheimer's disease, dementia, etc.), caused by viral illness (i.e. brain fog experienced by COVID-19 survivors) or physical trauma (i.e. concussion). Recent reports indicate that two out of three Americans experience some amount of cognitive impairment in their lifetime.
There are a number of therapies that have been used to help address this condition. One of these is transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), which delivers sustained direct current to to the head area via electrodes. A number of studies have indicated that this form of therapy is safe and efficacious at inducing neuroplasticity and exciting neuronal activity. These factors can help improve aspects of cognitive functioning such as working memory, learning, and task performance.
The purpose of this pilot study is to examine the acceptability and proof of concept effectiveness of a wireless, transcranial direct current stimulation for people with cognitive impairments.
详细描述
Sample size (n=10) is convenient and designed to explore acceptability and feasibility. Participants who are enrolled will be provided a tDCS device to use for a period of four weeks. They will have two study visits, baseline (BL) and the 4th week visit (W4). During each visit participants will answer various questionnaires to assess patient-reported outcomes such as sleep quality, cognitive impairment, depression, anxiety, fatigue, and user acceptability.
The entire cohort will receive a transcranial direct stimulation (tDCS) device which uses LIFTiD Neurostimulation technology (RPW TECHNOLOGY, LLC, New York, USA). Participants will take the device home and daily, they will use the device for a maximum of 20 minutes to stimulate neuroplasticity. During the stimulation period they will be asked to perform a light activity such as reading, checking emails, etc. The participants will return to the McNair Campus for their final visit after 4 weeks.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Na
- 干预模型
- Single Group
- 主要目的
- Device Feasibility
- 盲法
- None
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 18 Years 至 —（Adult, Older Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 否
入选标准
- •Adults (aged 18+) suffering from poor working memory, brain fog, or cognitive impairments (such as dementia, Alzheimer's, concussions, etc); ability to attend to the clinic for visits
排除标准
- •Severe cognitive decline that reduces their ability to interact with the tDCS device; Major visual or hearing weakness reduces the ability to interact with tDCS device; Major foot problems such as active lower extremity wounds, major foot deformity (e.g., Charcot Foot), previous major amputations, and claudication; Demand-type cardiac pacemaker, implanted defibrillator, implanted metal plate in the brain or head, or other implanted electronic devices; Epilepsy, seizures, brain lesions, or severe heart disease; Sensitive skin or rash, broken skin, or open wounds; Pregnancy; and any conditions that may interfere with outcomes or increase the risk of the use tDCS based on the judgement of clinicians
结局指标
主要结局
Perceived Ease of Use After 4 Weeks of Daily tDCS Use (TAM Score)
时间窗: At 4 weeks
The perceived ease of use of tDCS will be assessed using a subscore of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) questionnaire. Participants will rate the device on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = Extremely Difficult, 5 = Extremely Easy) across seven questions. The total score will range from 7 (extremely difficult) to 35 (extremely easy), with higher scores indicating greater ease of use. Questions will assess: (1) ease of use, (2) sponge preparation, (3) attaching sponges, (4) starting/stopping therapy, (5) charging, (6) mobility while wearing the device, and (7) task completion during use. The TAM subscore will be calculated by summing individual scores, with median values reported as an overall measure of ease of use.
Perceived Usefulness After 4 Weeks of Daily tDCS Use (TAM Score)
时间窗: At 4 weeks
The perceived usefulness of tDCS was assessed using a subscore of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) questionnaire. Participants rated the usefulness of the device on a 5-point scale: 1 = Decreased Significantly, 2 = Decreased, 3 = Neutral, 4 = Increased, 5 = Increased Significantly. Six questions were used to assess overall perceived usefulness, focusing on benefits related to mental activity, energy levels, memory, attention, concentration, and alertness. The total score ranged from 6 (not at all useful) to 30 (highly useful), with higher values indicating greater perceived usefulness. The TAM subscore for perceived usefulness was calculated by summing the individual component scores and determining the median value across participants.
Attitude Towards Use After 4 Weeks of Daily tDCS Use (TAM Score)
时间窗: At 4 weeks
The attitude toward use of the tDCS device was assessed using a subscale of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) questionnaire. Participants will rate their attitude toward use on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = Extremely Difficult, 5 = Extremely Easy) based on two questions: (1) I would continue this therapy after completing the study, and (2) I would recommend this therapy to friends/family. The total score ranges from 2 (extremely difficult) to 10 (extremely easy), with higher scores reflecting a more positive attitude toward the device. The TAM subscore is calculated by summing individual component scores, with median values reported, providing an overall measure of perceived ease of use and intention to use.
次要结局
- Change in Digit Memory Test Average Score at 4 Weeks Compared to Baseline(Baseline - 4 weeks)
- Change in Hopkins Verbal Learning Test Total Score at 4 Weeks Compared to Baseline(Baseline - 4 weeks)
- Changes in Trail Making Task (TMT) From Baseline(Baseline - 4 weeks)
研究者
Bijan Najafi, PhD
Professor of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine