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AzTrials

Traumatic Brain InjuryNCT02331615

Application of Trans Cranial Direct Current Stimulation for Executive Dysfunction After Traumatic Brain Injury

A study testing neuroConn_CE_DC-STIMULATOR in people with Traumatic Brain Injury, run by Loewenstein Hospital at 1 site in Israel.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) particularly affects the frontal lobes and patients often suffer from executive dysfunction and behavioral disturbances. These types of injuries often involve axonal damage to pre frontal brain areas, which mediate various cognitive and behavioral functions. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 70 years
Conditions the study is for
Traumatic Brain Injury
What is being tested?
neuroConn_CE_DC-STIMULATOR
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
8 participants
Where
1 siteIsrael
Study dates
Mar 2013to 21 Mar 2017
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 18 to 70 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Ages 18-70 years.
  • Traumatic Brain injured patients who were diagnosed with executive function difficulties.
  • Patients who are able to cooperate and comprehend simple instructions.
  • Patients who can provide informed consent after both oral and written information was given and discussed.

Who cannot join

  • Pregnancy.
  • Patients who sufferred a penetrating head trauma.
  • Patients who underwent a frontal craniotomy
  • Patients with a history of Psychiatric problems
  • In cases of Severe Porencephaly at stimulation site
  • Active Epilepsy or a history of seizure.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Israel1 site
  • Loewenstein Rehabilitation Center

    Raanana

Other trials in Israel

About this study

Official title: Feasibility of the Use of Electrical Stimulation Using tDCS to Influence Executive Abilities After Traumatic Brain Injury Patients

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) particularly affects the frontal lobes and patients often suffer from executive dysfunction and behavioral disturbances. These types of injuries often involve axonal damage to pre frontal brain areas, which mediate various cognitive and behavioral functions. Dorsolateral prefrontal circuit lesions cause executive dysfunction, orbitofrontal circuit lesions lead to personality changes characterized by disinhibition and anterior cingulate circuit lesions present with apathy. Patients who suffered traumatic frontal lobe damage often demonstrate a lasting, profound disturbance of emotional regulation and social cognition.

Weak transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) induces persisting excitability changes in the human motor cortex. this effect depends on the stimulation polarity and is specific to the site of stimulation. Interacting with cortical activity, by means of cortical stimulation, can positively affect the short-term cognitive performance and improve the rehabilitation potential of neurologic patients. In this respect, preliminary evidence suggests that cortical stimulation may play a role in treating aphasia, unilateral neglect, and other cognitive disorders.

Read more

Several possible mechanisms can account for the effects of tDCS and other methods on cognitive performance. They all reflect the potential of these methods to improve the subject's ability to relearn or to acquire new strategies for carrying out behavioral tasks. It was also found that Activation of prefrontal cortex by tDCS reduces appetite for risk during ambiguous decision making.

In this tDCS study the investigator uses one anode and one cathode electrode placed over the scalp to modulate a particular area of the central nervous system (CNS). The stimulation is administered via the neuroConn DC.Stimulator Serial number 0096. The DC-STIMULATOR is a micro-processor-controlled constant current source. The DC-STIMULATOR is a CE-certified medical device for conducting non-invasive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on people.Electrode positioning is determined according to the International EEG 10-20 System.

Being tested
neuroConn_CE_DC-STIMULATOR, SHAM
Keywords
Traumatic Brain Injury, Executive function difficulties, Transcranial direct current stimulation
Medical subject headings
Brain Injuries, Traumatic

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • neuroConn_CE_DC-STIMULATORDevice

    right frontal anodal stimulation

  • neuroConn_CE_DC-STIMULATORDevice

    left frontal anodal stimulation

  • SHAMDevice

    no meaningful stimulation will be given

Study groups in NCT02331615
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
RightExperimentalElectrode positioning will be determined according to the EEG 10-20 international system for EEG electrode placement: Right hemisphere anodal stimulation of the dorso lateral frontal area (F3), left hemisphere catodal stimulation of the dorso lateral frontal area (F4). Intensity of 1.5 mA (milliampere) for duration of 15 minutes. A total of 9 sessions: 4 sessions a week for 2 weeks.
Receives: Device: neuroConn_CE_DC-STIMULATOR
leftExperimentalElectrode positioning will be determined according to the EEG 10-20 international system for EEG electrode placement: left hemisphere anodal stimulation of the dorso lateral frontal area (F3), right hemisphere catodal stimulation of the dorso lateral frontal area (F4). Intensity of mA1.5 (milliampere) for duration of 15 minutes. A total of 9 sessions: 4 sessions a week for 2 weeks.
Receives: Device: neuroConn_CE_DC-STIMULATOR
shamSham comparatorThe stimulator will be turned on for only a very short duration of time (msec) no meaningful stimulation is believed to be administered in such a way.
Receives: Device: SHAM

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change from baseline MindStreams-NeuroTrax MINDSTREAMS-NEUROTRAX

    Computerized tests assess brain wellness across an array of cognitive domains including: memory, executive function, visual spatial perception, verbal function, attention, information processing speed, and motor skills. The psychometric properties of the tests exploit the advantages of computerized testing, providing precise accuracy and reaction time measurements. NeuroTrax offers an unbiased, standardized, accurate and inexpensive tool with a wide range of applicability. The specific tests that will be administered are Go-No Go Response Inhibition and Visual Spatial Processing

    Measured: day 1 (twice), day 15, day 21

Secondary outcomes (2)
  1. Change from baseline Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function- (Adult Version) BRIEF-A

    Measures an adult's views of him- or herself and captures important observer information for a comprehensive picture of the rated individual's executive functioning.

    Measured: day 1, day 21

  2. Change from baseline Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-III )

    1. The WAIS-III, a subsequent revision of the WAIS and the WAIS-R, was released in 1997. It provided scores for Verbal IQ (Intelligence quotient ), Performance IQ, and Full Scale IQ, along with four secondary indices (Verbal Comprehension, Working Memory, Perceptual Organization, and Processing Speed).

    Measured: day 1 (twice), day 15, day 21

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted6 Jan 2015 (estimated)
  2. Study startMar 2013
  3. Primary completion21 Mar 2017
  4. Study completion21 Mar 2017

Resources

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
Non-randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Participant, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
8 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT02331615
Sponsor's protocol ID
18-11-LOE
Status last verified
Aug 2018
First submitted
17 Dec 2014
Last updated
9 Aug 2018
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes

Publications

  • Schroeter ML, Ettrich B, Schwier C, Scheid R, Guthke T, von Cramon DY. Diffuse axonal injury due to traumatic brain injury alters inhibition of imitative response tendencies. Neuropsychologia. 2007 Nov 5;45(14):3149-56. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2007.07.004. Epub 2007 Jul 14.

    PubMed 17727901
  • Tekin S, Cummings JL. Frontal-subcortical neuronal circuits and clinical neuropsychiatry: an update. J Psychosom Res. 2002 Aug;53(2):647-54. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3999(02)00428-2.

    PubMed 12169339
  • Cicerone KD, Tanenbaum LN. Disturbance of social cognition after traumatic orbitofrontal brain injury. Arch Clin Neuropsychol. 1997;12(2):173-88.

    PubMed 14588429
  • Fregni F, Boggio PS, Nitsche M, Bermpohl F, Antal A, Feredoes E, Marcolin MA, Rigonatti SP, Silva MT, Paulus W, Pascual-Leone A. Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation of prefrontal cortex enhances working memory. Exp Brain Res. 2005 Sep;166(1):23-30. doi: 10.1007/s00221-005-2334-6. Epub 2005 Jul 6.

    PubMed 15999258
  • Miniussi C, Cappa SF, Cohen LG, Floel A, Fregni F, Nitsche MA, Oliveri M, Pascual-Leone A, Paulus W, Priori A, Walsh V. Efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation/transcranial direct current stimulation in cognitive neurorehabilitation. Brain Stimul. 2008 Oct;1(4):326-36. doi: 10.1016/j.brs.2008.07.002. Epub 2008 Oct 7.

    PubMed 20633391
  • Ferrucci R, Marceglia S, Vergari M, Cogiamanian F, Mrakic-Sposta S, Mameli F, Zago S, Barbieri S, Priori A. Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation impairs the practice-dependent proficiency increase in working memory. J Cogn Neurosci. 2008 Sep;20(9):1687-97. doi: 10.1162/jocn.2008.20112.

    PubMed 18345990
  • Fregni F, Boggio PS, Nitsche MA, Rigonatti SP, Pascual-Leone A. Cognitive effects of repeated sessions of transcranial direct current stimulation in patients with depression. Depress Anxiety. 2006;23(8):482-4. doi: 10.1002/da.20201. No abstract available.

    PubMed 16845648
  • Fecteau S, Pascual-Leone A, Zald DH, Liguori P, Theoret H, Boggio PS, Fregni F. Activation of prefrontal cortex by transcranial direct current stimulation reduces appetite for risk during ambiguous decision making. J Neurosci. 2007 Jun 6;27(23):6212-8. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0314-07.2007.

    PubMed 17553993
  • Beeli G, Casutt G, Baumgartner T, Jancke L. Modulating presence and impulsiveness by external stimulation of the brain. Behav Brain Funct. 2008 Aug 4;4:33. doi: 10.1186/1744-9081-4-33.

    PubMed 18680573
  • Boggio PS, Ferrucci R, Rigonatti SP, Covre P, Nitsche M, Pascual-Leone A, Fregni F. Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on working memory in patients with Parkinson's disease. J Neurol Sci. 2006 Nov 1;249(1):31-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2006.05.062. Epub 2006 Jul 14.

    PubMed 16843494
  • Jo JM, Kim YH, Ko MH, Ohn SH, Joen B, Lee KH. Enhancing the working memory of stroke patients using tDCS. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2009 May;88(5):404-9. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0b013e3181a0e4cb.

    PubMed 19620953
  • Monti A, Cogiamanian F, Marceglia S, Ferrucci R, Mameli F, Mrakic-Sposta S, Vergari M, Zago S, Priori A. Improved naming after transcranial direct current stimulation in aphasia. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2008 Apr;79(4):451-3. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.2007.135277. Epub 2007 Dec 20.

    PubMed 18096677
  • Bikson M, Datta A, Elwassif M. Establishing safety limits for transcranial direct current stimulation. Clin Neurophysiol. 2009 Jun;120(6):1033-4. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2009.03.018. Epub 2009 Apr 24. No abstract available.

    PubMed 19394269
  • Poreisz C, Boros K, Antal A, Paulus W. Safety aspects of transcranial direct current stimulation concerning healthy subjects and patients. Brain Res Bull. 2007 May 30;72(4-6):208-14. doi: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2007.01.004. Epub 2007 Jan 24.

    PubMed 17452283
  • Dundas JE, Thickbroom GW, Mastaglia FL. Perception of comfort during transcranial DC stimulation: effect of NaCl solution concentration applied to sponge electrodes. Clin Neurophysiol. 2007 May;118(5):1166-70. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2007.01.010. Epub 2007 Feb 27.

    PubMed 17329167

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing neuroConn_CE_DC-STIMULATOR in people with Traumatic Brain Injury, run by Loewenstein Hospital at 1 site in Israel.

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 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 9 Aug 2018. 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 Israel. 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 MindStreams-NeuroTrax MINDSTREAMS-NEUROTRAX (time frame: day 1 (twice), day 15, day 21). 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 NCT02331615, which also lists 23 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 9 Aug 2018; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 30 Oct 2026.

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