NCT06877312

Brief Summary

This research investigates the effect of different frequencies of tACS (0 Hz, 30 Hz, 50 Hz, 70 Hz, 90 Hz) and tRNS with cognitive exercises in a regimen protocol of 4 weeks, everyday (Monday to Friday). The study design is a longitudinal study design in which participants receive different tES randomly ordered. Treatments occur for 4 weeks, then 12 weeks of no treatment (wash-out period), repeated for each tES treatment type. Participants have the option of having their choice of music in the background while they perform cognitive exercises.

Trial Health

77
On Track

Trial Health Score

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

Enrollment
200

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable

Timeline
93mo left

Started Oct 2024

Longer than P75 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
recruiting

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 Progress17%
Oct 2024Dec 2033

Study Start

First participant enrolled

October 9, 2024

Completed
5 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

March 10, 2025

Completed
4 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

March 14, 2025

Completed
5.8 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

December 31, 2030

Expected
3 years until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

December 31, 2033

Last Updated

December 4, 2025

Status Verified

March 1, 2025

Enrollment Period

6.2 years

First QC Date

March 10, 2025

Last Update Submit

November 26, 2025

Conditions

Keywords

dementia, alzheimer, cognitive impairment

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

  • Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-Cog)

    Change from baseline ADAS-Cog at 5 and 9 weeks. It consists of 11 tasks that include the subject completing tests and observer based assessments. It assesses cognitive domains of memory, language and praxis.

    For each tES treatment: Baseline (week 0), Post-treatment (week 5), 1-month follow-up (week 9)

  • Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS-IV)

    Change from baseline Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS-IV) Older Adult Battery Score at five and nine weeks. Cognitive and memory task that focus on 6 major memory indexes: Auditory Memory, Visual Memory, Visual Working Memory, Immediate Memory, Delayed Memory, and Recognition Memory.

    For each tES treatment: Baseline (week 0), Post-treatment (week 5), 1-month follow-up (week 9)

Secondary Outcomes (4)

  • N-Back

    For each tES treatment: Baseline (week 0), Post-treatment (week 5), 1-month follow-up (week 9)

  • Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPIQ)

    For each tES treatment: Baseline (week 0), Post-treatment (week 5), 1-month follow-up (week 9)

  • Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS)

    For each tES treatment: Baseline (week 0), Post-treatment (week 5), 1-month follow-up (week 9)

  • Virtual Reality Navigation (VRN) spatial orientation test

    For each tES treatment: Baseline (week 0), Post-treatment (week 5), 1-month follow-up (week 9)

Study Arms (6)

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive active tDCS simultaneously with cognitive exercises. It will be optional for participants to have their choice of music playing in the background.

Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

30 Hz Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive active tACS at 30 Hz simultaneously with cognitive exercises. It will be optional for participants to have their choice of music playing in the background.

Device: 30 Hz Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS)

50 Hz Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive active tACS at 50 Hz simultaneously with cognitive exercises. It will be optional for participants to have their choice of music playing in the background.

Device: 50 Hz Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS)

70 Hz Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive active tACS at 70 Hz simultaneously with cognitive exercises. It will be optional for participants to have their choice of music playing in the background.

Device: 70 Hz Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS)

90 Hz Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive active tACS at 90 Hz simultaneously with cognitive exercises. It will be optional for participants to have their choice of music playing in the background.

Device: 90 Hz Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS)

Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation (tRNS)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive active tRNS simultaneously with cognitive exercises. It will be optional for participants to have their choice of music playing in the background.

Device: Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation (tRNS)

Interventions

A light electrical current with 50 Hz frequency (tACS) will be applied to the scalp of the participants via 2 electrodes, while the participants perform cognitive exercises with the guidance of a trained research assistant. They have the option of having their choice of music playing in the background while they perform the cognitive exercises. Cognitive exercises: Participants will perform memory and learning games/tasks through the "Mind Triggers" app on an IPad and other cognitive games. Participants will be guided by a highly trained research assistant.

50 Hz Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS)

A light electrical current with 70 Hz frequency (tACS) will be applied to the scalp of the participants via 2 electrodes, while the participants perform cognitive exercises with the guidance of a trained research assistant. They have the option of having their choice of music playing in the background while they perform the cognitive exercises. Cognitive exercises: Participants will perform memory and learning games/tasks through the "Mind Triggers" app on an IPad and other cognitive games. Participants will be guided by a highly trained research assistant.

70 Hz Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS)

A light electrical current with 90 Hz frequency (tACS) will be applied to the scalp of the participants via 2 electrodes, while the participants perform cognitive exercises with the guidance of a trained research assistant. They have the option of having their choice of music playing in the background while they perform the cognitive exercises. Cognitive exercises: Participants will perform memory and learning games/tasks through the "Mind Triggers" app on an IPad and other cognitive games. Participants will be guided by a highly trained research assistant.

90 Hz Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS)

A light electrical current with random noise waveform (tRNS) will be applied to the scalp of the participants via 2 electrodes, while the participants perform cognitive exercises with the guidance of a trained research assistant. They have the option of having their choice of music playing in the background while they perform the cognitive exercises. Cognitive exercises: Participants will perform memory and learning games/tasks through "Mind Triggers" app on an IPad and other cognitive games. Participants will be guided by a highly trained research assistant.

Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation (tRNS)

A light electrical current with zero frequency (tDCS) will be applied to the scalp of the participants via 2 electrodes, while the participants perform cognitive exercises with the guidance of a trained research assistant. They have the option of having their choice of music playing in the background while they perform the cognitive exercises. Cognitive exercises: Participants will perform memory and learning games/tasks through the "Mind Triggers" app on an IPad and other cognitive games. Participants will be guided by a highly trained research assistant.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

A light electrical current with 30 Hz frequency (tACS) will be applied to the scalp of the participants via 2 electrodes, while the participants perform cognitive exercises with the guidance of a trained research assistant. They have the option of having their choice of music playing in the background while they perform the cognitive exercises. Cognitive exercises: Participants will perform memory and learning games/tasks through the "Mind Triggers" app on an IPad and other cognitive games. Participants will be guided by a highly trained research assistant.

30 Hz Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS)

Eligibility Criteria

Age50 Years - 95 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • ability to read, write and speak English fluently
  • MoCA score between 5 and 24

You may not qualify if:

  • Being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, Parkinsonian dementia, Huntington disease, speech significant aphasia and intellectual disability, major depression/anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or any other major mood disorder.
  • Having a history of epileptic seizures or epilepsy
  • Inability to adequately communicate in English
  • Impaired vision or hearing severe enough to impair performance in cognitive tests
  • Current substance abuse disorder
  • Currently participating in another therapeutic study for dementia
  • Plan to change the medication during any treatment period (5 weeks including the pre-post assessments)

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Riverview Health Centre

Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3L 2P4, Canada

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

DementiaMixed DementiasCognitive Dysfunction

Interventions

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Brain DiseasesCentral Nervous System DiseasesNervous System DiseasesNeurocognitive DisordersMental DisordersCognition Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Electric Stimulation TherapyTherapeuticsConvulsive TherapyPsychiatric Somatic TherapiesBehavioral Disciplines and ActivitiesElectroshockPsychological Techniques

Central Study Contacts

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
SEQUENTIAL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Professor, Dept. of Electrical and Computer Eng.

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

March 10, 2025

First Posted

March 14, 2025

Study Start

October 9, 2024

Primary Completion (Estimated)

December 31, 2030

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 31, 2033

Last Updated

December 4, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-03

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations