Cognitive ChangeNCT03873636
Altering Multitasking Behavior Using Low Current Brain Stimulation
A study testing Stimulation via noninvasive brain stimulation systems in people with Cognitive Change, run by Tufts University at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
This study is designed to investigate multitasking deficits, with a particular interest in reducing costs related to dual-tasking (dividing attention between tasks) and task-switching (switching between tasks) using noninvasive brain stimulation. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Cognitive Change
- What is being tested?
- Stimulation via noninvasive brain stimulation systems
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 300 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 27 Dec 2016to 7 Apr 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Must be able to participate in non invasive brain stimulation research
- Must be a fluent English speaker
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must be right-handed
- Must have normal or corrected-to-normal vision
Who cannot join
- Any history of complications with non invasive brain stimulation research
- Any metallic implants in head
- Any implanted internal or external electrical stimulation device
- Any adverse reaction to tDCS or other forms of low current brain stimulation
- Any history of seizure
- Any history of head injury
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- Any illness that caused brain injury
- Any other brain-related condition
- Any diagnosis of neurological or psychiatric disorder
- A sensitive scalp
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
This study is designed to investigate multitasking deficits, with a particular interest in reducing costs related to dual-tasking (dividing attention between tasks) and task-switching (switching between tasks) using noninvasive brain stimulation.
- Conditions
- Cognitive Change
- Being tested
- Stimulation via noninvasive brain stimulation systems
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Stimulation via noninvasive brain stimulation systemsOther
Active (at or below 2mA) stimulation targeting brain regions engaged in task-switching and dual-tasking for 30-40 minutes. Local IRB has determined the Soterix, Neuroelectrics, \& Halo devices to be non-significant risk (NSR) devices via abbreviated investigational device exemption (IDE) procedure.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Active Stimulation | Experimental | Active stimulation of targeted brain regions involved in task-switching and dual-tasking. Receives: Other: Stimulation via noninvasive brain stimulation systems |
| Sham Stimulation | Sham comparator | Sham stimulation of targeted brain regions involved in task-switching and dual-tasking. Receives: Other: Stimulation via noninvasive brain stimulation systems |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Response accuracy
Measuring accuracy (correct vs. incorrect answers) of responses to stimuli while dividing attention and switching between tasks
Measured: 4 hours
Response latency
Measuring the amount of time (seconds) from when stimulus is presented to when participant answers prompt
Measured: 4 hours
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted13 Mar 2019
- Study start27 Dec 2016
- Primary completion7 Apr 2025
- Study completion7 Apr 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Cognitive ChangeStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 300 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Tufts University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Nathan Ward, Tufts University
- Investigators
- Nathan Ward, PhD, Principal investigator, Tufts University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03873636
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 1611020
- Status last verified
- Apr 2025
- First submitted
- 7 Mar 2019
- Last updated
- 9 Apr 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 9 Apr 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Altering Multitasking Behavior Using Low Current Brain Stimulation
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03873636
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 1611020
- Conditions
- Cognitive Change
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 300 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Tufts UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 27 Dec 2016 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 7 Apr 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 7 Apr 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 13 Mar 2019 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study is designed to investigate multitasking deficits, with a particular interest in reducing costs related to dual-tasking (dividing attention between tasks) and task-switching (switching between tasks) using noninvasive brain stimulation.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Active Stimulation | Experimental | Other: Stimulation via noninvasive brain stimulation systemsActive stimulation of targeted brain regions involved in task-switching and dual-tasking. |
| Sham Stimulation | Sham comparator | Other: Stimulation via noninvasive brain stimulation systemsSham stimulation of targeted brain regions involved in task-switching and dual-tasking. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Must be able to participate in non invasive brain stimulation research
- Must be a fluent English speaker
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must be right-handed
- Must have normal or corrected-to-normal vision
Key exclusion criteria (10 listed)
- Any history of complications with non invasive brain stimulation research
- Any metallic implants in head
- Any implanted internal or external electrical stimulation device
- Any adverse reaction to tDCS or other forms of low current brain stimulation
- Any history of seizure
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Stimulation via noninvasive brain stimulation systemsActive (at or below 2mA) stimulation targeting brain regions engaged in task-switching and dual-tasking for 30-40 minutes. Local IRB has determined the Soterix, Neuroelectrics, \& Halo devices to be non-significant risk (NSR) devices via abbreviated investigational device exemption (IDE) procedure. | Other | Active Stimulation, Sham Stimulation |
Primary outcome
Response accuracy
Time frame: 4 hours
Measuring accuracy (correct vs. incorrect answers) of responses to stimuli while dividing attention and switching between tasks
Response latency
Time frame: 4 hours
Measuring the amount of time (seconds) from when stimulus is presented to when participant answers prompt
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 9 Apr 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Nathan Ward, PhD principal investigator
Tufts University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Stimulation via noninvasive brain stimulation systems in people with Cognitive Change, run by Tufts University at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 10 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 9 Apr 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Response accuracy (time frame: 4 hours). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 9 Apr 2025; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 29 Oct 2026.