Effects of tDCS and Cognitive Rehabilitation on Cognition and Neural Plasticity in MS Patients

Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences

Status: Completed

Conditions: Multiple Sclerosis

Treatments: Device: Sham tDCS; Device: tDCS; Device: Cognitive Rehabilitation

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07160218

IR.SBMU.PHNS.REC.1402.121

Details and patient eligibility

About

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and cognitive rehabilitation can improve cognitive functions and neuronal plasticity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The participant population consists of MS patients (both sexes, adults), who commonly experience cognitive impairment in addition to physical and psychological symptoms.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

Does tDCS applied over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex improve cognitive abilities in MS patients?

Does the combination of tDCS and cognitive rehabilitation enhance neuroplasticity, as measured by DTI, BDNF levels, and acetylcholinesterase activity?

Enrollment: 45 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 20 to 50 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Age between 20 and 50 years.

Diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

Mild disability, defined as EDSS < 5.

Patients who attended the neurology clinic and are willing to participate.

Exclusion criteria

Presence of psychiatric disorders requiring treatment with neuroleptics.

History of seizures.

Left-handed individuals.

Recent MS relapse requiring steroid treatment.

Pregnant women.

History of brain surgery or presence of intracranial clips.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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45 participants in 3 patient groups

tDCS

Experimental group

Description:

A 30-minute tDCS session with the cathode placed over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC)

Treatment:

Device: tDCS

tDCS+Cognitive training

Experimental group

Description:

A 30-minute tDCS session with the cathode over the left DLPFC combined with computer-based cognitive rehabilitation training

Treatment:

Device: Cognitive Rehabilitation

Device: tDCS

Sham tDCS

Sham Comparator group

Description:

Sham stimulation applied over the left DLPFC, mimicking the sensation of tDCS without delivering active current

Treatment:

Device: Sham tDCS