Healthy SubjectsNCT04245059
Safety Study Based on Transcranial Electrical Stimulation in Chile: a Case Series Study
A study testing Multi-channel Transcranial direct current stimulation in people with Healthy Subjects, run by Corporación de Rehabilitación Club de Leones Cruz del Sur at 1 site in Chile.
Trial summary
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that delivers low-intensity, direct current to cortical areas facilitating or inhibiting spontaneous neuronal activity. It has been used to improve cognitive functions such as memory, language, and attention. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Healthy Subjects
- What is being tested?
- Multi-channel Transcranial direct current stimulation
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 3 participants
- Where
- 1 siteChile
- Study dates
- 1 Dec 2019to 31 Dec 2021
- 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
- Healthy subjects
- Both gender
- Informed consent accepted
- Adults
Who cannot join
- Neurological diseases
- Mental diseases
- Injuries in the scalp skin
- Inflammatory tegumentary diseases
- Migraines
- Medication or substances affecting central nervous system
Show all 9Show fewer
- Presence of chronic diseases
- Presence of degenerative diseases
- Pregnancy
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Chile1 site
Corporación de Rehabilitación Club de Leones Cruz del Sur
Punta Arenas, Region of Magallanes, 6211525
About this study
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that delivers low-intensity, direct current to cortical areas facilitating or inhibiting spontaneous neuronal activity. It has been used to improve cognitive functions such as memory, language, and attention. Research has also shown that tDCS on motor cortex can improve motor performance.
TDCS secondary effects have been measured in several studies. The most frequent secondary effects described in literature are a mild tingling sensation, moderate fatigue, itching sensation, slight burning and mild pain sensation under the electrodes during the stimulation.
The present study is focused in evaluate the safety of a transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS) service by measuring secondary effects incidence in a group of healthy subjects. In addition, manual dexterity and upper limb strength will be measure to identify improvement in motor performance after intervention.
Read the detailed description
Transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) is a neurophysiological technique capable of modulating the excitability of the neuronal tissue of the central and peripheral nervous system through the application, for a finite time length, of an electrical field. This electric field is generated by the application of weak electrical currents through the scalp and into the brain. It has been demonstrated in recent years that the technique is safe and beneficial if used within the known bounds of intensity, density and duration.
The tES technique is classified into three types according to the waveform of the stimulation current that is applied: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS),Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) and Transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS). Additionally, the Sham mode can be used for controlled experiments.
TDCS is a neuromodulatory technique that delivers low-intensity, direct current to cortical areas facilitating or inhibiting spontaneous neuronal activity. In general, the current is injected into the brain (anodal stimulation) over a cortical region leading to excitatory effects; and collected from the brain (cathodal stimulation) leading to inhibitory effects. tDCS produces short term effects on neuronal excitability, and long lasting plastic after/effects involving synaptic modification.
Research has shown that applying anodal tDCS to the non-dominant motor cortex can improve motor performance for the non-dominant hand, presumably by means of changes in synaptic plasticity between neurons. Other studies suggest improvement on cognitive functions such as memory, language, and attention after a tDCS program.
TDCS secondary effects have been measured in several studies. The most frequent secondary effects described in literature are a mild tingling sensation, moderate fatigue, itching sensation, slight burning and mild pain sensation under the electrodes during the stimulation. A visual sensation, associated with switching on and off the stimulation, have been also described. Less frequent are the difficulties in concentrating, headache, felt nervous or overexcited and nausea after the stimulation.
The present study is focused in evaluate the safety of a TDCS pilot program by measuring secondary effects incidence in a group of healthy subjects. In addition, manual dexterity and upper limb strength will be measure to identify improvement in motor performance after intervention.
- Conditions
- Healthy Subjects
- Being tested
- Multi-channel Transcranial direct current stimulation
- Keywords
- transcranial electrical stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation, motor cortex, motor performance, secondary effects
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Multi-channel Transcranial direct current stimulationDevice
A commercial tDCS device will be use in this study. The device is a wireless multi-channel transcranial direct current stimulator that incorporates an 8-channel headcap for stimulation through gel electrodes or classic sponge electrodes. The device is integrated with a user interface for the configuration and monitoring of the stimulus parameters and a fast multifocal simulation of the tDCS electric field using an advanced brain model
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation | Experimental | Each subject will receive transcranial electrical stimulation at primary motor cortex in both hemispheres. The pilot program will include 12 sessions with a frequency of 3 times per week during 4 weeks. Therefore, during tDCS sessions, subjects will receive stimulation for 20 minutes with a current of 2.0 milliamp using 6x4 cm electrodes. The participants will also complete a set of manual dexterity, grip and pinch tests bilaterally at baseline and post-intervention to determine if the subject responds to tDCS. Thus, each session will be monitored on safety aspects of the subjects with emphasis on skin disorders and other possible side effects of tDCS. Receives: Device: Multi-channel Transcranial direct current stimulation |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change of block and box test score
Change of the Box and Block test score, it's a measure of the number of blocks the subject can move in 1 minute, between the beginning (T0) and immediately after the end of treatment (T1). Range of score 0-120. A positive change represents improved performance on Box and Blocks test.
Measured: Baseline, 4 weeks
Change of Side effect checklist for transcranial direct current stimulation
A checklist that records side effect after TDCS sessions including fatigue, headache or dizziness, nausea, and a itching sensation in the stimulation area.
Measured: Baseline, 4 weeks
Secondary outcomes (3)
Change of nine hole peg test score
The Nine Hole Pegs technique is a simple manual dexterity test, commonly used in ergotherapy. The participant tries to place 9 pegs in a 9 holes perforated plate, and then tries to remove them as quickly as possible. The hand must stay in a depression within the plate, thereby insuring a constant distance between the hand and the pegs.
Measured: Baseline, 4 weeks
Change of grip strength measurement
Change of value of kilogram - force (kgf) measured with a handheld dynamometer on a single grip test of maximum contraction for 3 seconds.
Measured: Baseline, 4 weeks
Change of pinch strength measurement
Change of value of kilogram - force (kgf) measured with a handheld dynamometer on a single pinch test of maximum contraction for 3 seconds.
Measured: Baseline, 4 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted28 Jan 2020
- Study start1 Dec 2019
- Primary completion31 Dec 2021 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Dec 2021 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (4)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Healthy SubjectsStudies 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
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 3 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Corporación de Rehabilitación Club de Leones Cruz del Sur
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Patricio E Barría Aburto, MSc., Principal investigator, Corporación de Rehabilitacion Club de Leones Cruz del SurKarim S Baleta Abarza, Lic., Principal investigator, Corporación de Rehabilitacion Club de Leones Cruz del Sur
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04245059
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- CorporacionRCLCS0002
- Status last verified
- Nov 2020
- First submitted
- 22 Jan 2020
- Last updated
- 5 Nov 2020
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Brunoni AR, Nitsche MA, Bolognini N, Bikson M, Wagner T, Merabet L, Edwards DJ, Valero-Cabre A, Rotenberg A, Pascual-Leone A, Ferrucci R, Priori A, Boggio PS, Fregni F. Clinical research with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS): challenges and future directions. Brain Stimul. 2012 Jul;5(3):175-195. doi: 10.1016/j.brs.2011.03.002. Epub 2011 Apr 1.
PubMed 22037126Vines BW, Cerruti C, Schlaug G. Dual-hemisphere tDCS facilitates greater improvements for healthy subjects' non-dominant hand compared to uni-hemisphere stimulation. BMC Neurosci. 2008 Oct 28;9:103. doi: 10.1186/1471-2202-9-103.
PubMed 18957075Almousa A, Alajaji R, Alaboudi M, Al-Sultan F, Bashir S. Safety of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation of Frontal, Parietal, and Cerebellar Regions in Fasting Healthy Adults. Behav Sci (Basel). 2018 Sep 10;8(9):81. doi: 10.3390/bs8090081.
PubMed 30201910Paulus W. Transcranial electrical stimulation (tES - tDCS; tRNS, tACS) methods. Neuropsychol Rehabil. 2011 Oct;21(5):602-17. doi: 10.1080/09602011.2011.557292. Epub 2011 Aug 5.
PubMed 21819181
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 5 Nov 2020. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Safety Study Based on Transcranial Electrical Stimulation in Chile: a Case Series Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04245059
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- CorporacionRCLCS0002
- Conditions
- Healthy Subjects
- Keywords
- transcranial electrical stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation, motor cortex, motor performance, secondary effects
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Unknown status
- Enrolment
- 3 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Corporación de Rehabilitación Club de Leones Cruz del SurUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Dec 2019 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Dec 2021 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2021 (estimated)
- First posted
- 28 Jan 2020 (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.
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that delivers low-intensity, direct current to cortical areas facilitating or inhibiting spontaneous neuronal activity. It has been used to improve cognitive functions such as memory, language, and attention. Research has also shown that tDCS on motor cortex can improve motor performance.
TDCS secondary effects have been measured in several studies. The most frequent secondary effects described in literature are a mild tingling sensation, moderate fatigue, itching sensation, slight burning and mild pain sensation under the electrodes during the stimulation.
The present study is focused in evaluate the safety of a transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS) service by measuring secondary effects incidence in a group of healthy subjects. In addition, manual dexterity and upper limb strength will be measure to identify improvement in motor performance after intervention.
Detailed description
Transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) is a neurophysiological technique capable of modulating the excitability of the neuronal tissue of the central and peripheral nervous system through the application, for a finite time length, of an electrical field. This electric field is generated by the application of weak electrical currents through the scalp and into the brain. It has been demonstrated in recent years that the technique is safe and beneficial if used within the known bounds of intensity, density and duration.
The tES technique is classified into three types according to the waveform of the stimulation current that is applied: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS),Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) and Transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS). Additionally, the Sham mode can be used for controlled experiments.
TDCS is a neuromodulatory technique that delivers low-intensity, direct current to cortical areas facilitating or inhibiting spontaneous neuronal activity. In general, the current is injected into the brain (anodal stimulation) over a cortical region leading to excitatory effects; and collected from the brain (cathodal stimulation) leading to inhibitory effects. tDCS produces short term effects on neuronal excitability, and long lasting plastic after/effects involving synaptic modification.
Research has shown that applying anodal tDCS to the non-dominant motor cortex can improve motor performance for the non-dominant hand, presumably by means of changes in synaptic plasticity between neurons. Other studies suggest improvement on cognitive functions such as memory, language, and attention after a tDCS program.
TDCS secondary effects have been measured in several studies. The most frequent secondary effects described in literature are a mild tingling sensation, moderate fatigue, itching sensation, slight burning and mild pain sensation under the electrodes during the stimulation. A visual sensation, associated with switching on and off the stimulation, have been also described. Less frequent are the difficulties in concentrating, headache, felt nervous or overexcited and nausea after the stimulation.
The present study is focused in evaluate the safety of a TDCS pilot program by measuring secondary effects incidence in a group of healthy subjects. In addition, manual dexterity and upper limb strength will be measure to identify improvement in motor performance after intervention.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation | Experimental | Device: Multi-channel Transcranial direct current stimulationEach subject will receive transcranial electrical stimulation at primary motor cortex in both hemispheres. The pilot program will include 12 sessions with a frequency of 3 times per week during 4 weeks. Therefore, during tDCS sessions, subjects will receive stimulation for 20 minutes with a current of 2.0 milliamp using 6x4 cm electrodes. The participants will also complete a set of manual dexterity, grip and pinch tests bilaterally at baseline and post-intervention to determine if the subject responds to tDCS. Thus, each session will be monitored on safety aspects of the subjects with emphasis on skin disorders and other possible side effects of tDCS. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Healthy subjects
- Both gender
- Informed consent accepted
- Adults
Key exclusion criteria (9 listed)
- Neurological diseases
- Mental diseases
- Injuries in the scalp skin
- Inflammatory tegumentary diseases
- Migraines
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-channel Transcranial direct current stimulationA commercial tDCS device will be use in this study. The device is a wireless multi-channel transcranial direct current stimulator that incorporates an 8-channel headcap for stimulation through gel electrodes or classic sponge electrodes. The device is integrated with a user interface for the configuration and monitoring of the stimulus parameters and a fast multifocal simulation of the tDCS electric field using an advanced brain model | Device | Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation |
Primary outcome
Change of block and box test score
Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks
Change of the Box and Block test score, it's a measure of the number of blocks the subject can move in 1 minute, between the beginning (T0) and immediately after the end of treatment (T1). Range of score 0-120. A positive change represents improved performance on Box and Blocks test.
Change of Side effect checklist for transcranial direct current stimulation
Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks
A checklist that records side effect after TDCS sessions including fatigue, headache or dizziness, nausea, and a itching sensation in the stimulation area.
3 secondary outcomes
Change of nine hole peg test score
Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks
Change of grip strength measurement
Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks
Change of pinch strength measurement
Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks
Results and safety
Results are not available in the source record.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 5 Nov 2020.
- Background: PubMed 22037126Brunoni AR, Nitsche MA, Bolognini N, Bikson M, Wagner T, Merabet L, Edwards DJ, Valero-Cabre A, Rotenberg A, Pascual-Leone A, Ferrucci R, Priori A, Boggio PS, Fregni F. Clinical research with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS): challenges and future directions. Brain Stimul. 2012 Jul;5(3):175-195. doi: 10.1016/j.brs.2011.03.002. Epub 2011 Apr 1.
- Background: PubMed 18957075Vines BW, Cerruti C, Schlaug G. Dual-hemisphere tDCS facilitates greater improvements for healthy subjects' non-dominant hand compared to uni-hemisphere stimulation. BMC Neurosci. 2008 Oct 28;9:103. doi: 10.1186/1471-2202-9-103.
- Background: PubMed 30201910Almousa A, Alajaji R, Alaboudi M, Al-Sultan F, Bashir S. Safety of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation of Frontal, Parietal, and Cerebellar Regions in Fasting Healthy Adults. Behav Sci (Basel). 2018 Sep 10;8(9):81. doi: 10.3390/bs8090081.
- Background: PubMed 21819181Paulus W. Transcranial electrical stimulation (tES - tDCS; tRNS, tACS) methods. Neuropsychol Rehabil. 2011 Oct;21(5):602-17. doi: 10.1080/09602011.2011.557292. Epub 2011 Aug 5.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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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.
Patricio E Barría Aburto, MSc. principal investigator
Corporación de Rehabilitacion Club de Leones Cruz del Sur
Karim S Baleta Abarza, Lic. principal investigator
Corporación de Rehabilitacion Club de Leones Cruz del Sur
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Multi-channel Transcranial direct current stimulation in people with Healthy Subjects, run by Corporación de Rehabilitación Club de Leones Cruz del Sur at 1 site in Chile.
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 4 inclusion and 9 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: status not confirmed, as of the sponsor's last update on 5 Nov 2020. 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 Chile. 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. 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?
Results are not available in the source record.
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?
Change of block and box test score (time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks). 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?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT04245059, which also lists 4 linked publications.
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 5 Nov 2020.