Recruiting

Transcranial Electrical Stimulation

Sponsor:

University of Manitoba

Code:

NCT06877312

Conditions

Dementia; Degenerative, Dementia Mixed

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 50 - 70+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Interventions

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

30 Hz Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS)

50 Hz Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS)

70 Hz Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS)

90 Hz Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS)

Study Details

Brief summary:

This research investigates the effect of different frequencies of tACS (0 Hz, 30 Hz, 50 Hz, 70 Hz, 90 Hz) and tRNS with cognitive exercises in a regimen protocol of 4 weeks, everyday (Monday to Friday). The study design is a longitudinal study design in which participants receive different tES randomly ordered. Treatments occur for 4 weeks, then 12 weeks of no treatment (wash-out period), repeated for each tES treatment type. Participants have the option of having their choice of music in the background while they perform cognitive exercises.

Conditions

Dementia; Degenerative, Dementia Mixed

Study ID

NCT06877312

Start date

Oct 9, 2024

Status verified date

Mar, 2025

Completion date

Dec 31, 2033

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Dec 31, 2030

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 50 - 70+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

  • ability to read, write and speak English fluently
  • MoCA score between 5 and 24

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, Parkinsonian dementia, Huntington disease, speech significant aphasia and intellectual disability, major depression/anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or any other major mood disorder.
  • Having a history of epileptic seizures or epilepsy
  • Inability to adequately communicate in English
  • Impaired vision or hearing severe enough to impair performance in cognitive tests
  • Current substance abuse disorder
  • Currently participating in another therapeutic study for dementia
  • Plan to change the medication during any treatment period (5 weeks including the pre-post assessments)

Study Design

Enrollment

200 participants

Anticipated

Allocation

Randomized

Intervention Model

Sequential

Primary purpose

Treatment

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

experimental: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

Participants will receive active tDCS simultaneously with cognitive exercises. It will be optional for participants to have their choice of music playing in the background.

experimental: 30 Hz Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS)

Participants will receive active tACS at 30 Hz simultaneously with cognitive exercises. It will be optional for participants to have their choice of music playing in the background.

experimental: 50 Hz Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS)

Participants will receive active tACS at 50 Hz simultaneously with cognitive exercises. It will be optional for participants to have their choice of music playing in the background.

experimental: 70 Hz Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS)

Participants will receive active tACS at 70 Hz simultaneously with cognitive exercises. It will be optional for participants to have their choice of music playing in the background.

experimental: 90 Hz Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS)

Participants will receive active tACS at 90 Hz simultaneously with cognitive exercises. It will be optional for participants to have their choice of music playing in the background.

experimental: Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation (tRNS)

Participants will receive active tRNS simultaneously with cognitive exercises. It will be optional for participants to have their choice of music playing in the background.

Interventions

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

A light electrical current with zero frequency (tDCS) will be applied to the scalp of the participants via 2 electrodes, while the participants perform cognitive exercises with the guidance of a trained research assistant. They have the option of having their choice of music playing in the background while they perform the cognitive exercises.

Cognitive exercises: Participants will perform memory and learning games/tasks through the "Mind Triggers" app on an IPad and other cognitive games. Participants will be guided by a highly trained research assistant.

30 Hz Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS)

A light electrical current with 30 Hz frequency (tACS) will be applied to the scalp of the participants via 2 electrodes, while the participants perform cognitive exercises with the guidance of a trained research assistant. They have the option of having their choice of music playing in the background while they perform the cognitive exercises.

Cognitive exercises: Participants will perform memory and learning games/tasks through the "Mind Triggers" app on an IPad and other cognitive games. Participants will be guided by a highly trained research assistant.

50 Hz Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS)

A light electrical current with 50 Hz frequency (tACS) will be applied to the scalp of the participants via 2 electrodes, while the participants perform cognitive exercises with the guidance of a trained research assistant. They have the option of having their choice of music playing in the background while they perform the cognitive exercises.

Cognitive exercises: Participants will perform memory and learning games/tasks through the "Mind Triggers" app on an IPad and other cognitive games. Participants will be guided by a highly trained research assistant.

70 Hz Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS)

A light electrical current with 70 Hz frequency (tACS) will be applied to the scalp of the participants via 2 electrodes, while the participants perform cognitive exercises with the guidance of a trained research assistant. They have the option of having their choice of music playing in the background while they perform the cognitive exercises.

Cognitive exercises: Participants will perform memory and learning games/tasks through the "Mind Triggers" app on an IPad and other cognitive games. Participants will be guided by a highly trained research assistant.

90 Hz Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS)

A light electrical current with 90 Hz frequency (tACS) will be applied to the scalp of the participants via 2 electrodes, while the participants perform cognitive exercises with the guidance of a trained research assistant. They have the option of having their choice of music playing in the background while they perform the cognitive exercises.

Cognitive exercises: Participants will perform memory and learning games/tasks through the "Mind Triggers" app on an IPad and other cognitive games. Participants will be guided by a highly trained research assistant.

Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation (tRNS)

A light electrical current with random noise waveform (tRNS) will be applied to the scalp of the participants via 2 electrodes, while the participants perform cognitive exercises with the guidance of a trained research assistant. They have the option of having their choice of music playing in the background while they perform the cognitive exercises.

Cognitive exercises: Participants will perform memory and learning games/tasks through "Mind Triggers" app on an IPad and other cognitive games. Participants will be guided by a highly trained research assistant.

Primary outcome measure

  • Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-Cog) [ Time Frame: For each tES treatment: Baseline (week 0), Post-treatment (week 5), 1-month follow-up (week 9) ]
  • Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS-IV) [ Time Frame: For each tES treatment: Baseline (week 0), Post-treatment (week 5), 1-month follow-up (week 9) ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Shelly Rempel-Rossum

204-789-3389Shelly.rempelrossum@umanitoba.ca

Locations

Riverview Health Centre

Recruiting

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3L 2P4

Contacts

Shelly Rempel-Rossum

204-789-3389Shelly.rempel-rossum@umanitoba.ca

Zahra Moussavi

2044786163

More Information

Sponsor

University of Manitoba

Last update posted

Dec 4, 2025

Last verified

Mar, 2025

Keywords

  • dementia, alzheimer, cognitive impairment

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-10. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by University of Manitoba on 2025-12-04.