NCT03236454

Brief Summary

This 2-armed randomized, sham-controlled, single-blind study aims at providing evidence for the efficacy of a transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)-enhanced cognitive control training (PASAT) in participants with subjective cognitive decline (SCD). Overall, the study will include 30 participants. Each participant will take part in a four weeks training (12 sessions); 50% of the participants will receive 2mA anodal tDCS for 20 minutes applied to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), the other half will receive sham stimulation. Event-related potentials (ERPs) evoked by the feedback on the correctness of the response at baseline and after training will be measured with EEG as neurophysiological signatures of cognitive control. Near and far transfer will be assessed by a verbal 2-back task and the Trail Making Test A and B. The amount of worrying regarding the memory impairment will be quantified by means of a 10 point Likert-Scale. Together with changes of PASAT performance these measures will be obtained before and after the tDCS-enhanced training. Follow-up assessments 3, 12 and 24 months after training will investigate the stability of training effects.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
30

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started May 2017

Typical duration for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

May 11, 2017

Completed
3 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

July 27, 2017

Completed
6 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

August 2, 2017

Completed
2 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

September 30, 2017

Completed
2.3 years until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

January 1, 2020

Completed
Last Updated

January 13, 2020

Status Verified

January 1, 2020

Enrollment Period

5 months

First QC Date

July 27, 2017

Last Update Submit

January 9, 2020

Conditions

Keywords

brain stimulationcognitive trainingcognitiontreatment

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Change in amount of worrying regarding the memory impairment

    The amount of worrying regarding the memory impairment will be quantified by means of a 10-point Likert-Scale

    4 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (5)

  • Group comparison (active vs. sham tDCS) regarding the change in amount of correct answers in the PASAT task from baseline to end of training period.

    4 weeks

  • Group comparison (active vs. sham tDCS) regarding the change in amount of correct answers in the verbal 2-back task (pre-session outcomes compared with post-session and follow-up outcomes).

    2 years

  • Group comparison (active vs. sham tDCS) regarding changes in Trail Making Task A and B outcomes (pre-session outcomes compared with post-session and follow-up outcomes).

    2 years

  • Group comparison (active vs. sham tDCS) regarding changes in Satisfaction With Life Scale outcomes (pre-session outcomes compared with post-session and follow-up outcomes).

    2 years

  • Group comparison (active vs. sham tDCS) regarding changes in the Neuropsychological Test Battery CERAD-Plus (pre-session outcomes compared with follow-up outcomes).

    2 years

Study Arms (2)

anodal tDCS

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

DC-Stimulator MC, NeuroConn: 20 minutes of 2 mA anodal stimulation

Device: DC-Stimulator MC, NeuroConn

sham tDCS

SHAM COMPARATOR

DC-Stimulator MC, NeuroConn: 20 minutes of sham stimulation; Ramping up over 50 seconds at the beginning and an equal amount of time for tapering off at the end;

Device: DC-Stimulator MC, NeuroConn

Interventions

20 minutes of 2 mA anodal stimulation; Electrode placement: left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (F3, EEG 10/20 system), return electrode at the right upper arm.

anodal tDCSsham tDCS

Eligibility Criteria

Age60 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Men and women, aged 60 years and above Native German speaker Subjective feeling of worsening cognitive abilities, including memory Present concerns regarding the subjective memory decline Right handedness

You may not qualify if:

  • Present objective cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination \< 24)
  • Current depression or depressive episode (Geriatric Depression Scale \> 5)
  • Current substance abuse
  • Presence of other psychiatric disorders (MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview)
  • History of epilepsy
  • Presence of other neurological disorders
  • Absence of independent living skills (Instrumental Activities Of Daily Living, IADL) Scale)
  • Metallic implants near the electrodes (i.e. pacemakers)

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

University of Tübingen, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy

Tübingen, 72074, Germany

Location

Study Officials

  • Christian Plewnia, MD

    University of Tübingen, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT
Masking Details
Sham Stimulation: Ramping up over 50 seconds at the beginning and an equal amount of time for tapering off at the end
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Apl. Prof.

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

July 27, 2017

First Posted

August 2, 2017

Study Start

May 11, 2017

Primary Completion

September 30, 2017

Study Completion

January 1, 2020

Last Updated

January 13, 2020

Record last verified: 2020-01

Locations