Effect of home-based transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment: a study protocol for a randomized, double-blind, cross-over study

Trials

Kwang Joon Kim¹  Chang Oh Kim¹  Jaesub Park²  Jin Young Park³  Yoonkyung Oh³  Kyungmi Chung³ 

[1] 0000 0004 0470 5454, grid.15444.30, Division of Geriatrics, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea;0000 0004 0647 2391, grid.416665.6, Department of Psychiatry, National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, South Korea;0000 0004 0647 8021, grid.459553.b, Department of Psychiatry, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Health System, 211 Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu, 06273, Seoul, South Korea;0000 0004 0470 5454, grid.15444.30, Department of Psychiatry and Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea;

关键词: Transcranial direct current stimulation;    Mild cognitive impairment;    Home-based;    Cross-over study;    Brain stimulation;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13063-019-3360-1

来源: publisher

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundThe possible effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in improving cognitive function is clear from studies involving pre-dementia stage mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, the application of tDCS in actual clinical practice entails repeated hospital visits almost every day for treatment. The objective of this study is to confirm the possibility of self-application of tDCS at home by elderly patients with declined cognitive function and the significant clinical effect of tDCS administered at home.Methods/designThis study will be conducted in 20 elderly people aged 60 to 80 years with complaints of subjective memory impairment while maintaining general functions with limited activities of daily living. This study involves a cross-over design that will include 2-week active or sham stimulation of both dorsolateral prefrontal cortexes (left, anode; right, cathode) randomly with a 2-week wash-out phase. Changes in cognitive function will be evaluated using visual recognition tasks and neuropsychological tests. In this study, tDCS will be carried out by each patient at his/her home and its safety and suitability will be evaluated.DiscussionIn this study, patients will apply a portable tDCS, developed for home use, for more than 2 weeks. Such studies can contribute to the use of tDCS as a realistic therapy. In addition, the utility of home-based tDCS will be confirmed by application of tDCS at home by the elderly with declined cognitive function. Furthermore, confirmation of tDCS as a significant therapeutic method can facilitate treatment of Alzheimer’s dementia at an early stage, including MCI.Trial registrationClinical Research Information Service (CRIS), KCT0002721. Registered on 9 March 2018.

【 授权许可】

CC BY