Musical PerformanceNCT06958081
tDCS and Musical Performance in Young Orchestra Musicians
A study testing Active transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in people with Musical Performance and Neuromodulation, run by Centro Universitário Augusto Motta at 1 site in Brazil.
Trial summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can improve the technical, expressive, and stage aspects of musical performance in young orchestra musicians aged 18 to 30 years. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 30 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Musical Performance, Neuromodulation, Performance Anxiety
- What is being tested?
- Active transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 24 participants
- Where
- 1 siteBrazil
- Study dates
- 1 Jun 2025to 31 Dec 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 30 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Musicians aged 18 to 30 years.
- Minimum of 3 years of orchestral performance experience.
- Active participation in a stable orchestra or ensemble.
- No history of neurological or psychiatric disorders.
- Not currently using psychotropic medications or recreational drugs.
- Willingness to participate in all study sessions.
- Signed informed consent form.
Who cannot join
- Presence of metallic implants in the head (e.g., cranial pins, aneurysm clips).
- Presence of implanted electronic devices (e.g., pacemaker).
- History of epilepsy or seizures.
- Prior experience with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS).
- Scalp dermatitis or lesions at the electrode placement sites.
- Pregnancy.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Brazil1 site
Centro Universitário Augusto Motta (UNISUAM)
Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21041-010
About this study
Official title: Acute Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Technical, Expressive, and Scenic Aspects of Musical Performance in Young Orchestra Instrumentalists: A Proof-of-Concept Study
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can improve the technical, expressive, and stage aspects of musical performance in young orchestra musicians aged 18 to 30 years. The main questions it aims to answer are:
- Does active tDCS improve musical performance compared to sham stimulation?
- Does active tDCS reduce music performance anxiety and increase musical self-efficacy? Researchers will compare the active tDCS group to the sham stimulation group to see if active stimulation has positive effects on musical performance and psychological factors.
Read more
Participants will:
- Receive either active or sham tDCS stimulation
- Perform a musical piece before and after stimulation
- Complete questionnaires about anxiety and musical self-confidence
Read the detailed description
This randomized pilot study aims to investigate the acute effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the technical, expressive, and stage aspects of musical performance in young orchestra instrumentalists.
A total of 24 musicians, aged 18 to 30 years, with at least three years of orchestral experience, will be randomly assigned to either an active tDCS group or a sham stimulation group. The stimulation will target the supplementary motor area (SMA) using a 2.0 mA anodal current for 30 minutes, with the cathode placed over Fp2. The sham group will undergo the same electrode placement, but the current will be turned off after 30 seconds.
The study will adopt a double-blind design, where neither participants, care providers, investigators, nor outcome assessors will know the group allocations. Each participant will perform a standardized musical piece before and after the intervention, and after a 2-hour interval post-intervention. Performances will be recorded and evaluated by independent expert judges using the Rubric for the Assessment of Music Performance Achievement.
Psychometric evaluations will be conducted using the Mazzarolo Music Performance Anxiety Scale (M-MPAS) and the General Musical Self-Efficacy Scale. Self-assessments of performance and sensations during stimulation will also be collected. Data analysis will compare changes in musical performance, anxiety, and self-efficacy between groups.
This study seeks to provide preliminary evidence on the potential of tDCS to enhance musical performance and psychological factors such as performance anxiety and self-confidence among young musicians. Safety and feasibility of the intervention will also be monitored throughout the study.
- Conditions
- Musical Performance, Neuromodulation, Performance Anxiety
- Being tested
- Active transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), Sham transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
- Keywords
- tDCS, Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, Music Performance, Motor Control, Self-Efficacy, Anxiety
- Medical subject headings
- Anxiety Disorders
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Active transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)Device
2.0 mA anodal stimulation applied over FCz with cathode over Fp2 for 30 minutes using a transcranial direct current stimulation device.
Sham transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)Device
Sham stimulation mimicking the sensations of tDCS; the current will be turned off after 30 seconds while maintaining electrode placement over FCz and Fp2.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Active tDCS | Experimental | Participants will receive active transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with a 2.0 mA anodal current applied over the supplementary motor area (FCz) and cathodal electrode over Fp2 for 30 minutes. Receives: Device: Active transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) |
| Sham tDCS | Sham comparator | Participants will receive sham transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with the same electrode placement as the active group; however, the current will be turned off after 30 seconds to simulate the initial sensations without delivering prolonged stimulation. Receives: Device: Sham transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Musical Performance Scores (Rubric for the Assessment of Music Performance Achievement)
Musical performance will be evaluated by independent expert judges using a standardized rubric assessing technical, expressive, and stage presence aspects.
Measured: Baseline, immediately after intervention, and 2 hours after intervention
Secondary outcomes (4)
Change in Self-Reported Musical Performance Score (0-10 scale)
Participants will self-rate the quality of their musical performance on a 0 (worst) to 10 (best) scale after each recording session.
Measured: Baseline, immediately after intervention, and 2 hours after intervention
Music Performance Anxiety (Mazzarolo Music Performance Anxiety Scale - M-MPAS)
Participants' levels of music performance anxiety will be assessed using the Mazzarolo Music Performance Anxiety Scale (M-MPAS), a validated 5-item instrument designed to measure cognitive, somatic, and behavioral symptoms of performance anxiety in musicians. Each item is rated on a 7-point Likert scale (0-6), with a total score range from 0 to 30 points. Higher scores indicate greater levels of anxiety, with scores ≥11 suggesting a tendency toward elevated performance anxiety.
Measured: Baseline
Musical Self-Efficacy (General Musical Self-Efficacy Scale)
Musical self-efficacy will be assessed using the performance subscale of the General Musical Self-Efficacy Scale, composed of 11 items rated on a 7-point Likert scale ranging from 1 ("Strongly disagree") to 7 ("Strongly agree"). The total score ranges from 11 to 77, with higher scores indicating greater self-efficacy in musical performance contexts.
Measured: Baseline
Perception of Intervention Received (Active or Sham)
Participants will report whether they believe they received active stimulation or sham stimulation, to assess effectiveness of blinding.
Measured: Immediately after intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted6 May 2025
- Study start1 Jun 2025
- Primary completion30 Sep 2025
- Study completion31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (6)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Musical PerformanceStudies 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
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly assigned to either an active tDCS group or a sham stimulation group.
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 24 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Centro Universitário Augusto Motta
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Frederico Barreto Kochem, Centro Universitário Augusto Motta
- Investigators
- Ricardo Galhardoni, Ph.D, Principal investigator, Neuromodulação em FocoRenato Santos de Almeida, Ph.D, Study chair, Centro Universitário Augusto MottaDébora Cristina Lima da Silva, Ph.D, Principal investigator, Centro Universitário Augusto Motta
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06958081
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 88146925.0.0000.5235
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 27 Apr 2025
- Last updated
- 1 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided: It has not yet been determined whether individual participant data (IPD) will be shared. The decision will depend on future analyses, data sensitivity considerations, and publication plans.
Publications
Álvarez-Díaz M, Muñiz-Bascón LM, Soria-Alemany A, Veintimilla-Bonet A, Fernández-Alonso R. On the design and validation of a rubric for the evaluation of performance in a musical contest. International Journal of Music Education. 2021;39(1):66-79. doi:10.1177/0255761420936443
Mazzarolo I, Schubert E. A Short Performance Anxiety Scale for Musicians. Front Psychol. 2022 Jan 26;12:781262. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.781262. eCollection 2021.
PubMed 35153903Sanchez-Kuhn A, Perez-Fernandez C, Canovas R, Flores P, Sanchez-Santed F. Transcranial direct current stimulation as a motor neurorehabilitation tool: an empirical review. Biomed Eng Online. 2017 Aug 18;16(Suppl 1):76. doi: 10.1186/s12938-017-0361-8.
PubMed 28830433Anic A, Olsen KN, Thompson WF. Investigating the Role of the Primary Motor Cortex in Musical Creativity: A Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Study. Front Psychol. 2018 Oct 1;9:1758. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01758. eCollection 2018.
PubMed 30327622Chinzara TT, Buckingham G, Harris DJ. Transcranial direct current stimulation and sporting performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis of transcranial direct current stimulation effects on physical endurance, muscular strength and visuomotor skills. Eur J Neurosci. 2022 Jan;55(2):468-486. doi: 10.1111/ejn.15540. Epub 2022 Jan 6.
PubMed 34904303Bikson M, Grossman P, Thomas C, Zannou AL, Jiang J, Adnan T, Mourdoukoutas AP, Kronberg G, Truong D, Boggio P, Brunoni AR, Charvet L, Fregni F, Fritsch B, Gillick B, Hamilton RH, Hampstead BM, Jankord R, Kirton A, Knotkova H, Liebetanz D, Liu A, Loo C, Nitsche MA, Reis J, Richardson JD, Rotenberg A, Turkeltaub PE, Woods AJ. Safety of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: Evidence Based Update 2016. Brain Stimul. 2016 Sep-Oct;9(5):641-661. doi: 10.1016/j.brs.2016.06.004. Epub 2016 Jun 15.
PubMed 27372845
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 1 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Acute Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Technical, Expressive, and Scenic Aspects of Musical Performance in Young Orchestra Instrumentalists: A Proof-of-Concept Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06958081
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 88146925.0.0000.5235
- Conditions
- Musical Performance, Neuromodulation, Performance Anxiety
- Keywords
- tDCS, Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, Music Performance, Motor Control, Self-Efficacy, Anxiety
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrolment
- 24 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Centro Universitário Augusto MottaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Sep 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 6 May 2025 (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 goal of this clinical trial is to learn if transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can improve the technical, expressive, and stage aspects of musical performance in young orchestra musicians aged 18 to 30 years. The main questions it aims to answer are:
- Does active tDCS improve musical performance compared to sham stimulation?
- Does active tDCS reduce music performance anxiety and increase musical self-efficacy? Researchers will compare the active tDCS group to the sham stimulation group to see if active stimulation has positive effects on musical performance and psychological factors.
Participants will:
- Receive either active or sham tDCS stimulation
- Perform a musical piece before and after stimulation
- Complete questionnaires about anxiety and musical self-confidence
Detailed description
This randomized pilot study aims to investigate the acute effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the technical, expressive, and stage aspects of musical performance in young orchestra instrumentalists.
A total of 24 musicians, aged 18 to 30 years, with at least three years of orchestral experience, will be randomly assigned to either an active tDCS group or a sham stimulation group. The stimulation will target the supplementary motor area (SMA) using a 2.0 mA anodal current for 30 minutes, with the cathode placed over Fp2. The sham group will undergo the same electrode placement, but the current will be turned off after 30 seconds.
The study will adopt a double-blind design, where neither participants, care providers, investigators, nor outcome assessors will know the group allocations. Each participant will perform a standardized musical piece before and after the intervention, and after a 2-hour interval post-intervention. Performances will be recorded and evaluated by independent expert judges using the Rubric for the Assessment of Music Performance Achievement.
Psychometric evaluations will be conducted using the Mazzarolo Music Performance Anxiety Scale (M-MPAS) and the General Musical Self-Efficacy Scale. Self-assessments of performance and sensations during stimulation will also be collected. Data analysis will compare changes in musical performance, anxiety, and self-efficacy between groups.
This study seeks to provide preliminary evidence on the potential of tDCS to enhance musical performance and psychological factors such as performance anxiety and self-confidence among young musicians. Safety and feasibility of the intervention will also be monitored throughout the study.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly assigned to either an active tDCS group or a sham stimulation group.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Active tDCS | Experimental | Device: Active transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)Participants will receive active transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with a 2.0 mA anodal current applied over the supplementary motor area (FCz) and cathodal electrode over Fp2 for 30 minutes. |
| Sham tDCS | Sham comparator | Device: Sham transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)Participants will receive sham transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with the same electrode placement as the active group; however, the current will be turned off after 30 seconds to simulate the initial sensations without delivering prolonged stimulation. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 30 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Musicians aged 18 to 30 years.
- Minimum of 3 years of orchestral performance experience.
- Active participation in a stable orchestra or ensemble.
- No history of neurological or psychiatric disorders.
- Not currently using psychotropic medications or recreational drugs.
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Presence of metallic implants in the head (e.g., cranial pins, aneurysm clips).
- Presence of implanted electronic devices (e.g., pacemaker).
- History of epilepsy or seizures.
- Prior experience with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS).
- Scalp dermatitis or lesions at the electrode placement sites.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Active transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)2.0 mA anodal stimulation applied over FCz with cathode over Fp2 for 30 minutes using a transcranial direct current stimulation device. | Device | Active tDCS |
| Sham transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)Sham stimulation mimicking the sensations of tDCS; the current will be turned off after 30 seconds while maintaining electrode placement over FCz and Fp2. | Device | Sham tDCS |
Primary outcome
Change in Musical Performance Scores (Rubric for the Assessment of Music Performance Achievement)
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after intervention, and 2 hours after intervention
Musical performance will be evaluated by independent expert judges using a standardized rubric assessing technical, expressive, and stage presence aspects.
4 secondary outcomes
Change in Self-Reported Musical Performance Score (0-10 scale)
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after intervention, and 2 hours after intervention
Music Performance Anxiety (Mazzarolo Music Performance Anxiety Scale - M-MPAS)
Time frame: Baseline
Musical Self-Efficacy (General Musical Self-Efficacy Scale)
Time frame: Baseline
Perception of Intervention Received (Active or Sham)
Time frame: Immediately after intervention
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 1 May 2026.
- BackgroundÁlvarez-Díaz M, Muñiz-Bascón LM, Soria-Alemany A, Veintimilla-Bonet A, Fernández-Alonso R. On the design and validation of a rubric for the evaluation of performance in a musical contest. International Journal of Music Education. 2021;39(1):66-79. doi:10.1177/0255761420936443
- Background: PubMed 35153903Mazzarolo I, Schubert E. A Short Performance Anxiety Scale for Musicians. Front Psychol. 2022 Jan 26;12:781262. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.781262. eCollection 2021.
- Background: PubMed 28830433Sanchez-Kuhn A, Perez-Fernandez C, Canovas R, Flores P, Sanchez-Santed F. Transcranial direct current stimulation as a motor neurorehabilitation tool: an empirical review. Biomed Eng Online. 2017 Aug 18;16(Suppl 1):76. doi: 10.1186/s12938-017-0361-8.
- Background: PubMed 30327622Anic A, Olsen KN, Thompson WF. Investigating the Role of the Primary Motor Cortex in Musical Creativity: A Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Study. Front Psychol. 2018 Oct 1;9:1758. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01758. eCollection 2018.
- Background: PubMed 34904303Chinzara TT, Buckingham G, Harris DJ. Transcranial direct current stimulation and sporting performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis of transcranial direct current stimulation effects on physical endurance, muscular strength and visuomotor skills. Eur J Neurosci. 2022 Jan;55(2):468-486. doi: 10.1111/ejn.15540. Epub 2022 Jan 6.
- Background: PubMed 27372845Bikson M, Grossman P, Thomas C, Zannou AL, Jiang J, Adnan T, Mourdoukoutas AP, Kronberg G, Truong D, Boggio P, Brunoni AR, Charvet L, Fregni F, Fritsch B, Gillick B, Hamilton RH, Hampstead BM, Jankord R, Kirton A, Knotkova H, Liebetanz D, Liu A, Loo C, Nitsche MA, Reis J, Richardson JD, Rotenberg A, Turkeltaub PE, Woods AJ. Safety of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: Evidence Based Update 2016. Brain Stimul. 2016 Sep-Oct;9(5):641-661. doi: 10.1016/j.brs.2016.06.004. Epub 2016 Jun 15.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided. It has not yet been determined whether individual participant data (IPD) will be shared. The decision will depend on future analyses, data sensitivity considerations, and publication plans.
Related trials for Musical Performance
Not yet recruiting
Safety and Acute Effects of tDCS on Musical Performance in Adolescent Instrumentalists
Musical Performance, Neuromodulation
Recruiting
Auditory Performances With Different Stimulation Depths in Cochlear Implanted Subjects Using a Fine Structure Strategy
Sensorineural Hearing Loss, Bilateral
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.
Ricardo Galhardoni, Ph.D principal investigator
Neuromodulação em Foco
Renato Santos de Almeida, Ph.D study chair
Centro Universitário Augusto Motta
Débora Cristina Lima da Silva, Ph.D principal investigator
Centro Universitário Augusto Motta
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Active transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in people with Musical Performance and Neuromodulation, run by Centro Universitário Augusto Motta at 1 site in Brazil.
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 7 inclusion and 6 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: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 1 May 2026. 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 Brazil. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
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 in Musical Performance Scores (Rubric for the Assessment of Music Performance Achievement) (time frame: Baseline, immediately after intervention, and 2 hours after intervention). 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 NCT06958081, which also lists 6 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 1 May 2026.