Parkinson DiseaseNCT04811066
Motor Learning and Multi-session tDCS in Parkinson's Disease
A study testing Transcranial direct current stimulation in people with Parkinson Disease, run by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University at 1 site in Hong Kong.
Trial summary
The present study seeks to examine the efficacy of multi-session transcranial direct current stimulation applied over the primary motor cortex in people with Parkinson's disease on sequential motor learning performance. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 40 to 80 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Parkinson Disease
- What is being tested?
- Transcranial direct current stimulation
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 48 participants
- Where
- 1 siteHong Kong
- Study dates
- 19 Apr 2021to 2 Oct 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 40 to 80 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Right-handed (Edinburgh Handedness Inventory; ≥50)
- Cognitively capable (Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA); ≥23)
- Mild to moderate Parkinson's disease severity (Hoehn and Yar disease stage 2-3)
- On stable dopaminergic medication
Who cannot join
- History of stroke
- Comorbidity
- Cephalic implants
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: The Effect of Multi-session Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Applied Over the Primary Motor Cortex on Motor Sequence Learning in Parkinson's Disease
The present study seeks to examine the efficacy of multi-session transcranial direct current stimulation applied over the primary motor cortex in people with Parkinson's disease on sequential motor learning performance.
Read the detailed description
Parkinson's disease is characterised by deficits of motor control triggered by impaired basal ganglia function, such as bradykinesia and tremor. Beyond the visibly recognisable motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease, the ability to learn a sequence of movements is also compromised and poses a significant barrier to effective rehabilitation. In healthy individuals, transcranial direct current stimulation applied over the primary motor cortex during motor task practice has been shown to significantly improve motor learning compared to placebo conditions.
The present study seeks to examine the effect of multi-session transcranial direct current stimulation applied over the primary motor cortex in people with Parkinson's disease on sequential motor learning performance. Participants will be required to attend eight laboratory sessions, comprising five intervention and three assessment sessions and will be tested on their ability to learn a 16-digit finger tapping sequence with their right hand. Sessions one to five will form the intervention and will be performed at the same time on consecutive days (i.e. mon-fri). In addition, session one will double as a baseline assessment and intervention session. Assessments sessions will be performed once before the intervention (session one), and three times following the intervention on day three, one week, and four weeks post intervention.
- Conditions
- Parkinson Disease
- Being tested
- Transcranial direct current stimulation
- Keywords
- Parkinson's disease, Transcranial direct current stimulation, Motor sequence learning
- Medical subject headings
- Parkinson Disease
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Transcranial direct current stimulationDevice
Also called tDCS
Transcranial electrical stimulation device. A weak direct electrical current, up to 2 mA, is passed between two electrodes placed on the scalp. Electrodes are housed in 35 cm2 sponges saturated with 4 ml of saline solution (0.9 % NaCl) per side, per pad.
Stimulation is phased in with a 30-second ramp up of the electrical current to the specified stimulation parameters. Following the specified stimulation period, the current is phased-out with a ramp down of the current. For sham stimulation, the ramp-up and ramp-down periods are retained, but stimulation is switched off during the specified stimulation period.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Anodal tDCS | Experimental | Anodal electrode (35 cm2 sponge electrode) placed over C3. Cathodal electrode (35 cm2 sponge electrode) placed over the right supraorbital area. 20 minutes of stimulation at 2 mA with a 30-second phase-in and phase-out period. Receives: Device: Transcranial direct current stimulation |
| Cathodal tDCS | Experimental | Cathodal electrode (35 cm2 sponge electrode) placed over C3. Anodal electrode (35 cm2 sponge electrode) placed over the right supraorbital area. 20 minutes of stimulation at 2 mA with a 30-second phase-in and phase-out period. Receives: Device: Transcranial direct current stimulation |
| Sham tDCS | Sham comparator | Anodal electrode (35 cm2 sponge electrode) placed over C3. Cathodal electrode (35 cm2 sponge electrode) placed over the right supraorbital area. Stimulation was phased in for 30 seconds up to 2 mA and then switched off. Stimulation was again phased in for 30 seconds following 20 minutes of no stimulation. Receives: Device: Transcranial direct current stimulation |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change from baseline: sequential finger tapping performance
A skill index reflecting the accuracy and speed that participants perform a specified finger tapping sequence.
Measured: Four assessments: Baseline (pre-intervention), 3 days, 1 week, and 4 weeks post intervention. Performance is also assessed during the intervention period on each day the intervention is applied. Once immediately before and after intervention is applied.
Change from baseline: shape-counting error
The percentage of shape counting error during dual task assessments. Sequential finger tapping + visual shape counting task.
Measured: Four assessments: Baseline (pre-intervention), 3 days, 1 week, and 4 weeks post intervention. Performance is also assessed during the intervention period on each day the intervention is applied. Once immediately before and after intervention is applied.
Secondary outcomes (4)
Change from baseline: oxygenated haemoglobin response
Task related changes of oxygenated haemoglobin as measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy.
Measured: Four assessments: Baseline / pre-intervention, three-days post intervention, 1 week post intervention, and 4 weeks post intervention
Change from baseline: Movement Disorders Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Motor Section (Part 3)
Participants physical function is assessed according to the criteria of the Movement Disorders Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Motor Section (Part 3). Minimum value = 0, maximum value = 132. Lower scores indicate a better outcome.
Measured: Four assessments: Baseline / pre-intervention, three-days post intervention, 1 week post intervention, and 4 weeks post intervention
Change from baseline: upper limb motor task performance
Timed sequential movement of the arm and hand. The participant sits upright on a chair that has no arm support with their arms relaxed by their side. The time taken to perform the following sequence 10 times is recorded: 1. Close and open hand, 2) flex elbow, 3) close and open hand, 4) extend elbow. Right and left arms are assessed separately.
Measured: Four assessments: Baseline / pre-intervention, three-days post intervention, 1 week post intervention, and 4 weeks post intervention
Change from baseline: Purdue pegboard task performance
Participants are required to pick up a metal peg and place the peg in a specified row of holes. Pegs must be placed one at a time. The maximum number of pegs placed within 30 seconds is recorded. The assessment is repeated three times for each hand. Each hand is assessed separately.
Measured: Four assessments: Baseline / pre-intervention, three-days post intervention, 1 week post intervention, and 4 weeks post intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted23 Mar 2021
- Study start19 Apr 2021
- Primary completion2 Oct 2021
- Study completion2 Oct 2021
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Parkinson DiseaseStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by The Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- 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
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 48 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Margaret Mak, Dr, Principal investigator, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04811066
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- HSEARS20200203002
- Status last verified
- Mar 2021
- First submitted
- 19 Mar 2021
- Last updated
- 13 Jun 2022
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 13 Jun 2022. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Multi-session Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Applied Over the Primary Motor Cortex on Motor Sequence Learning in Parkinson's Disease
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04811066
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- HSEARS20200203002
- Conditions
- Parkinson Disease
- Keywords
- Parkinson's disease, Transcranial direct current stimulation, Motor sequence learning
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 48 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 19 Apr 2021 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 2 Oct 2021 (actual)
- Study completion
- 2 Oct 2021 (actual)
- First posted
- 23 Mar 2021 (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.
The present study seeks to examine the efficacy of multi-session transcranial direct current stimulation applied over the primary motor cortex in people with Parkinson's disease on sequential motor learning performance.
Detailed description
Parkinson's disease is characterised by deficits of motor control triggered by impaired basal ganglia function, such as bradykinesia and tremor. Beyond the visibly recognisable motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease, the ability to learn a sequence of movements is also compromised and poses a significant barrier to effective rehabilitation. In healthy individuals, transcranial direct current stimulation applied over the primary motor cortex during motor task practice has been shown to significantly improve motor learning compared to placebo conditions.
The present study seeks to examine the effect of multi-session transcranial direct current stimulation applied over the primary motor cortex in people with Parkinson's disease on sequential motor learning performance. Participants will be required to attend eight laboratory sessions, comprising five intervention and three assessment sessions and will be tested on their ability to learn a 16-digit finger tapping sequence with their right hand. Sessions one to five will form the intervention and will be performed at the same time on consecutive days (i.e. mon-fri). In addition, session one will double as a baseline assessment and intervention session. Assessments sessions will be performed once before the intervention (session one), and three times following the intervention on day three, one week, and four weeks post intervention.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Anodal tDCS | Experimental | Device: Transcranial direct current stimulationAnodal electrode (35 cm2 sponge electrode) placed over C3. Cathodal electrode (35 cm2 sponge electrode) placed over the right supraorbital area. 20 minutes of stimulation at 2 mA with a 30-second phase-in and phase-out period. |
| Cathodal tDCS | Experimental | Device: Transcranial direct current stimulationCathodal electrode (35 cm2 sponge electrode) placed over C3. Anodal electrode (35 cm2 sponge electrode) placed over the right supraorbital area. 20 minutes of stimulation at 2 mA with a 30-second phase-in and phase-out period. |
| Sham tDCS | Sham comparator | Device: Transcranial direct current stimulationAnodal electrode (35 cm2 sponge electrode) placed over C3. Cathodal electrode (35 cm2 sponge electrode) placed over the right supraorbital area. Stimulation was phased in for 30 seconds up to 2 mA and then switched off. Stimulation was again phased in for 30 seconds following 20 minutes of no stimulation. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 40 to 80 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Right-handed (Edinburgh Handedness Inventory; ≥50)
- Cognitively capable (Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA); ≥23)
- Mild to moderate Parkinson's disease severity (Hoehn and Yar disease stage 2-3)
- On stable dopaminergic medication
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- History of stroke
- Comorbidity
- Cephalic implants
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Transcranial direct current stimulationAlso: tDCSTranscranial electrical stimulation device. A weak direct electrical current, up to 2 mA, is passed between two electrodes placed on the scalp. Electrodes are housed in 35 cm2 sponges saturated with 4 ml of saline solution (0.9 % NaCl) per side, per pad. Stimulation is phased in with a 30-second ramp up of the electrical current to the specified stimulation parameters. Following the specified stimulation period, the current is phased-out with a ramp down of the current. For sham stimulation, the ramp-up and ramp-down periods are retained, but stimulation is switched off during the specified stimulation period. | Device | Anodal tDCS, Cathodal tDCS, Sham tDCS |
Primary outcome
Change from baseline: sequential finger tapping performance
Time frame: Four assessments: Baseline (pre-intervention), 3 days, 1 week, and 4 weeks post intervention. Performance is also assessed during the intervention period on each day the intervention is applied. Once immediately before and after intervention is applied.
A skill index reflecting the accuracy and speed that participants perform a specified finger tapping sequence.
Change from baseline: shape-counting error
Time frame: Four assessments: Baseline (pre-intervention), 3 days, 1 week, and 4 weeks post intervention. Performance is also assessed during the intervention period on each day the intervention is applied. Once immediately before and after intervention is applied.
The percentage of shape counting error during dual task assessments. Sequential finger tapping + visual shape counting task.
4 secondary outcomes
Change from baseline: oxygenated haemoglobin response
Time frame: Four assessments: Baseline / pre-intervention, three-days post intervention, 1 week post intervention, and 4 weeks post intervention
Change from baseline: Movement Disorders Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Motor Section (Part 3)
Time frame: Four assessments: Baseline / pre-intervention, three-days post intervention, 1 week post intervention, and 4 weeks post intervention
Change from baseline: upper limb motor task performance
Time frame: Four assessments: Baseline / pre-intervention, three-days post intervention, 1 week post intervention, and 4 weeks post intervention
Change from baseline: Purdue pegboard task performance
Time frame: Four assessments: Baseline / pre-intervention, three-days post intervention, 1 week post intervention, and 4 weeks post intervention
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 13 Jun 2022.
- 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.
Margaret Mak, Dr principal investigator
The Hong Kong Polytechnic 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 Transcranial direct current stimulation in people with Parkinson Disease, run by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University at 1 site in Hong Kong.
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 3 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 13 Jun 2022. 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 Hong Kong. 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?
Change from baseline: sequential finger tapping performance (time frame: Four assessments: Baseline (pre-intervention), 3 days, 1 week, and 4 weeks post intervention. Performance is also assessed during the intervention period on each day the intervention is applied. Once immediately before and after intervention is applied.). 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 13 Jun 2022.