Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Altered States of Consciousness

NCT06236503 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: tDCS-GCA
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 100
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive, painless brain stimulation treatment that uses low-intensity direct electrical currents to stimulate specific parts of the brain. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) can both facilitate anodic stimulation and inhibit cathodic stimulation specific brain areas since many neurological and psychiatric disorders are connected to hypoactivity or hyperactivity in specific areas of the nervous system. This phenomenon is based on two processes: the reorganization of functional neural circuits and their reconstruction. In light of the studies mentioned above, it is presumed that Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) can be a valuable tool to facilitate the process of neuroplasticity in individuals with chronic neurological diseases and in patients with impaired consciousness following severe brain injury. A previous study demonstrated that a single session of transcranial direct current electrical stimulation could temporarily improve signs of consciousness in patients in a minimally conscious state (MCS)

Conditions

Neurologic Disorder; Brain Injuries

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Coma Recovery Scale-R (CRS-R).

  Behavioral assessment using the Coma Recovery Scale-R (CRS-R) for for the assessment of changes in the state of consciousness

  4 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Real Stimulation

EXPERIMENTAL

Time A. Behavioral assessment using the Coma Recovery Scale-R (CRS-R). Time B. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS). Frontal stimulation for 20 minutes with the anode placed on the international electrode 10-20 position and the cathode on the right supraorbital region. Stimulation will be repeated once a day, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks. Time C. Behavioral assessment using the coma recovery scale-R (CRS-R). Rest Period 2 months.

Behavioral: Real Stimulation

Placebo Stimulation

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Time A. Behavioral assessment using the Coma Recovery Scale-R (CRS-R). Time B. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS). Frontal stimulation for 5 seconds with the anode placed on the international electrode position and the cathode on the right supraorbital region. Stimulation will be repeated once a day, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks. · Time C: Behavioral assessment using the Coma Recovery Scale-R (CRS-R). Time D: Behavioral assessment using the coma Recovery Scale-R (CRS-R).

Behavioral: Placebo Stimulation

Interventions

Real Stimulation BEHAVIORAL

Time A: Behavioral assessment using the Coma Recovery Scale-R (CRS-R). · Time B: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS). Frontal stimulation for 20 minutes with the anode placed on the international electrode position and the cathode on the right supraorbital region. Stimulation will be repeated once a day, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks. · Time C. Behavioral assessment using the Coma Recovery Scale-R (CRS-R). Rest Period: 2 months.

Real Stimulation

Placebo Stimulation BEHAVIORAL

Time A: Behavioral assessment using the Coma Recovery Scale-R (CRS-R). Time B. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS). Frontal stimulation for 5 seconds with the anode placed on the electrode 10-20 position and the cathode on the right supraorbital region. Stimulation will be repeated once a day, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks. · Time C. Behavioral assessment using the Coma recovery Scale-R (CRS-R). Time D. Behavioral assessment using the Coma Recovery Scale-R (CRS-R).

Placebo Stimulation

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 75 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Patients diagnosed with a minimally conscious state will be evaluated and stimulated, provided that written informed consent is obtained from a family member.

You may not qualify if:

• patients in coma patients with metallic brain implants, craniotomy or pacemaker

Sponsors & Collaborators

• IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo: lead

Study Sites (1)

IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo

Messina, Italia, 98124, Italy

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Nervous System Diseases; Brain Injuries

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Craniocerebral Trauma; Trauma, Nervous System; Wounds and Injuries

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Dr.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 24, 2024
• First Posted: February 1, 2024
• Study Start: January 10, 2023
• Primary Completion: December 20, 2025
• Study Completion: December 30, 2025
• Last Updated: May 1, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

IT (1)