Effect of Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation on the Performance in Language Tasks

NCT07554105 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2026-D0001
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 90
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Language is an essential part of daily life, enabling us to communicate, understand others, read, and learn. Certain brain injuries can disrupt these abilities, and current treatments do not always lead to a full recovery. To improve future therapeutic approaches, it is necessary to better understand how the brain processes language and how its activity can be modulated. This study aims to evaluate the effects of a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called transcranial random noise stimulation. This method involves applying a very weak electrical current to the scalp to modulate the activity of brain regions involved in language. It is commonly used in research and is considered safe when administered in accordance with current guidelines. Healthy adult volunteers will participate in this study. Each participant will take part in two sessions spaced about a week apart. During one session, active stimulation will be used, and during the other, placebo stimulation will be used. Placebo stimulation resembles the actual stimulation but has no active effect. Neither the participants nor the researchers will know which type of stimulation is being used during each session. During the sessions, participants will perform various language tasks, and their brain activity will be recorded using an electroencephalogram (EEG), a painless method. This study does not provide any direct benefit to participants. The risks are low and limited to temporary sensations, such as a tingling sensation on the scalp. The results will provide a better understanding of how the brain processes language and could eventually contribute to the development of new rehabilitation approaches.

Conditions

Healthy Adult Participants

Keywords

language; tRNS

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Composite score

  composite behavioural score reflecting overall language performance across four language domains (phonological, semantic, morphosyntactic, and reading)

  Periprocedural

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Phonological processing

  Periprocedural

• Semantic processing

  Periprocedural

• Morphosyntactic processing

  Periprocedural

• Reading speed

  Periprocedural

• Sustained attention

  Periprocedural

Study Arms (2)

Younger adults

OTHER

age 15-35 years

Device: transcranial random noise stimulation; Device: sham stimulation

Elderly adults

OTHER

age 60-90 years

Device: transcranial random noise stimulation; Device: sham stimulation

Interventions

transcranial random noise stimulation DEVICE

active HD-tRNS

Elderly adults; Younger adults

sham stimulation DEVICE

current will be ramped up for 30 seconds and then switched of, to mimic the subjective sensation of tRNS.

Elderly adults; Younger adults

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 90 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Age: 18-35 years or 60-90 years
• Native French speakers
• Right handed
• Willing and able to provide informed consent
• Normal or corrected-to-normal vision and hearing

You may not qualify if:

• History of neurological or psychiatric disease
• Regular consumption of benzodiazepines, neuroleptics, or psychoactive drugs
• Major language deficit, developmental language disorder, arthropathies and other mechanical language impairments
• Inability to understand or follow study procedures
• Contraindications to brain stimulation, such as
• History of epilepsy or severe migraine
• Pacemaker or other active implants
• Metallic objects in the head
• Skull breach such as craniotomy
• Pregnancy

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Adrian Guggisberg: lead

Study Sites (1)

Division of Neurorehabilitation, University Hospital of Geneva

Geneva, Canton of Geneva, 1211, Switzerland

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Language

Interventions

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Communication; Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Electric Stimulation Therapy; Therapeutics; Convulsive Therapy; Psychiatric Somatic Therapies; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities; Electroshock; Psychological Techniques

Central Study Contacts

Adrian Guggisberg, MD

CONTACT

+41223723700; adrian.guggisberg@hug.ch

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Head of Neurorehabilitation

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 10, 2026
• First Posted: April 28, 2026
• Study Start: March 17, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 30, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2027
• Last Updated: April 28, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Time Frame: After publication
• Access Criteria: Depository

Locations

CH (1)