Supporting Cognitive Control Training With tDCS

University Hospital Tuebingen

Status: Completed

Conditions: Cognitive Control

Treatments: Behavioral: Effect of tDCS on cognitive control task performance

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04108663

GCBS-WP4

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Enrollment: 173 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 40 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• 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

Exclusion criteria

• 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

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

---

173 participants in 9 patient groups

Sham

Sham Comparator group

Description:

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)

Treatment:

Behavioral: Effect of tDCS on cognitive control task performance

L1A

Active Comparator group

Description:

Active tDCS * laterality: left PFC (F3; second electrode placed on deltoid muscle of the opposing arm) * intensity: of 1 mA * polarity: anodal

Treatment:

Behavioral: Effect of tDCS on cognitive control task performance

R1A

Active Comparator group

Description:

Active tDCS * laterality: right PFC (F4; second electrode placed on deltoid muscle of the opposing arm) * intensity: of 1 mA * polarity: anodal

Treatment:

Behavioral: Effect of tDCS on cognitive control task performance

L2A

Active Comparator group

Description:

Active tDCS * laterality: left PFC (F3; second electrode placed on deltoid muscle of the opposing arm) * intensity: of 2 mA * polarity: anodal

Treatment:

Behavioral: Effect of tDCS on cognitive control task performance

R2A

Active Comparator group

Description:

Active tDCS * laterality: right PFC (F4; second electrode placed on deltoid muscle of the opposing arm) * intensity: of 2 mA * polarity: anodal

Treatment:

Behavioral: Effect of tDCS on cognitive control task performance

L1C

Active Comparator group

Description:

Active tDCS * laterality: left PFC (F3; second electrode placed on deltoid muscle of the opposing arm) * intensity: of 1 mA * polarity: cathodal

Treatment:

Behavioral: Effect of tDCS on cognitive control task performance

R1C

Active Comparator group

Description:

Active tDCS * laterality: right PFC (F4; second electrode placed on deltoid muscle of the opposing arm) * intensity: of 1 mA * polarity: cathodal

Treatment:

Behavioral: Effect of tDCS on cognitive control task performance

L2C

Active Comparator group

Description:

Active tDCS * laterality: left PFC (F3; second electrode placed on deltoid muscle of the opposing arm) * intensity: of 2 mA * polarity: cathodal

Treatment:

Behavioral: Effect of tDCS on cognitive control task performance

R2C

Active Comparator group

Description:

Active tDCS * laterality: right PFC (F4; second electrode placed on deltoid muscle of the opposing arm) * intensity: of 2 mA * polarity: cathodal

Treatment:

Behavioral: Effect of tDCS on cognitive control task performance