To enhance our knowledge concerning the effectiveness of tDCS in the rehabilitation of stroke patients. Next to this, the results will also contribute to our knowledge concerning the role of the parietal cortex in episodic memory and attentional…
ID
Source
Brief title
Condition
- Vascular haemorrhagic disorders
Synonym
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
Reaction time and accuracy on the memory and attention task.
Secondary outcome
Not applicable.
Background summary
Chronic stroke patients often suffer from residual cognitive impairments, like
executive dysfunction, attentional and memory problems, and reduced processing
speed. Research into current rehabilitation programmes to ameliorate these
cognitive problems, shows that there is insufficient support to refute or
endorse the long-term effect of these programmes. Therefore, exploration of
alternative methods, like non-invasive brain stimulation, is warranted. The aim
of the current study is to explore the possibilities of using transcranial
direct current stimulation (tDCS) to improve memory and attentional function in
chronic stroke patients. Since the parietal cortex plays a vital role in
cognitive functions like memory and attention, tDCS will be applied bilateral
over the parietal cortices.
Study objective
To enhance our knowledge concerning the effectiveness of tDCS in the
rehabilitation of stroke patients. Next to this, the results will also
contribute to our knowledge concerning the role of the parietal cortex in
episodic memory and attentional processes. A proof of concept study.
Study design
A randomized controlled double-blind within-subject design. The experiment
consists of two test sessions on two separate days. In the test sessions,
participants will perform a recognition memory task and a clinical attentional
test. In one of the two test sessions, participants will receive sham tDCS over
the parietal cortex, and on the other active tDCS over the parietal cortex.
Test sessions will be randomized and counterbalanced across participants.
Intervention
tDCS will be delivered by a battery-driven constant DC current stimulator
(Eldith DC Stimulator (CE 0118), Ilmenau) using two 5-7 cm electrodes (35 cm2)
and one 10-10 cm return electrode (100 cm2) in saline-soaked synthetic sponge
at an electric current intensity of 2 mA for a maximum of 30 minutes. The two
5-7 electrodes will be placed bilaterally over the parietal cortex and the
10-10 return electrode will be placed centerally on top of the head (on top of
the vertex).
Study burden and risks
The currently proposed tDCS procedure and experiment do not carry any
significant risks. Potential side-effects of tDCS are light tingling, itching
or burning sensations under the electrodes, light headache and/or fatigue.
These are mild discomforts that respond promptly to common analgesics.
Heijenoordseweg 5
Arnhem 6813 GG
NL
Heijenoordseweg 5
Arnhem 6813 GG
NL
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
Between 18-65 years of age, right-handed, non-smoking, normal or corrected-to-normal vision, have a history of an ischemic cerebral infarction (>4 months ago), reduced verbal long-term memory and attention/concentration assessed by neuropsychological testing, Dutch as a native language
Exclusion criteria
Skin disease, metal in cranium, use of psychotropic drugs (including cannabis, XTC, amphetamines and cocaine), epilepsy or family history of epilepsy, history of closed-head injury, history of head surgery (other than due to stroke), history of neurological or psychiatric disorders (other than stroke), pre-existent cognitive problems, severe aphasia, neglect, hemianopia, medication use (i.e., antiepileptics, benzodiazepines, antidepressants and neuroleptica), medication pump, history of previous stroke, heart disease, cardiac pacemaker, pregnancy, of electronic hearing devices.
Design
Recruitment
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
No registrations found.
Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
No registrations found.
In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| CCMO | NL61201.091.17 |