Vocal PerformanceNCT07861490
Safety and Acute Effects of tDCS on Vocal Performance in Adolescent Singers
A study testing Active Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in people with Vocal Performance and Neuromodulation, run by Centro Universitário Augusto Motta at 1 site in Brazil.
Trial summary
This randomized, sham-controlled proof-of-concept study aims to investigate the safety, tolerability, and acute effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on vocal performance in adolescent singers aged 12 to 16 years. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 12 to 16 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Vocal Performance, Neuromodulation
- 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
- 7 Oct 2026to 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 12 to 16 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child
Who may be able to join
- Age 12 to 16 years, inclusive, at the time of enrollment.
- Regular participation in vocal music training for at least 12 months.
- Ability to safely perform the standardized vocal piece selected for the study.
- General health status compatible with participation, confirmed through a pre-session safety screening.
- No known neurological or clinical condition considered to increase the risk associated with stimulation.
- No current use of medication or substances considered by the study team to substantially alter cortical excitability or increase procedural risk.
- Written informed consent from a legal guardian.
- Written assent from the adolescent and voluntary willingness to participate.
Who cannot join
- History of epilepsy or non-febrile seizures.
- Relevant brain injury, previous cranial surgery, or other neurological condition considered incompatible with the protocol.
- Pacemaker, implanted electronic device, neurostimulator, or cranial metallic implant that could pose a risk or interfere with stimulation.
- Current use of anticonvulsant medication or other medication considered by the study team to represent a contraindication or unacceptable precaution.
- Previous experience with tDCS when such experience could compromise blinding.
- Dermatitis, wounds, infection, burns, significant pain, or other scalp abnormalities at the planned electrode sites.
- Known or suspected pregnancy, as a precaution; pregnancy testing will not be performed as part of the study.
- Acute illness or relevant symptoms on the day of the session, including fever, significant headache, persistent dizziness, relevant sleep deprivation, or acute upper respiratory symptoms when these findings justify postponement or exclusion for safety or performance-related reasons.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Brazil1 site
Orquestra Maré do Amanhã
Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21042-432
Frederico Barreto Kochem, PT, PhD, +55 24 98156-9166, frederico_kochem@hotmail.com
Frederico Barreto Kochem, PT, PhD
About this study
Official title: Safety, Tolerability, and Acute Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Vocal Performance in Adolescent Singers Aged 12 to 16 Years: A Randomized Sham-Controlled Proof-of-Concept Study
This randomized, sham-controlled proof-of-concept study aims to investigate the safety, tolerability, and acute effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on vocal performance in adolescent singers aged 12 to 16 years. Twenty-four participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to active or sham tDCS. Active stimulation will consist of 2.0 mA anodal tDCS applied for 20 minutes using 5 × 7 cm electrodes, with the anode positioned over C5 to target the left laryngeal primary motor cortex and the cathode over the right supraorbital region. Participants will perform the same standardized vocal piece before stimulation, immediately after stimulation, and approximately two hours after stimulation. Vocal performances will be audiovisually recorded and evaluated by blinded expert raters using an adapted analytical vocal-performance rubric based on Gynnild (2015). Safety and tolerability will be monitored using a structured symptom checklist and predefined stopping criteria. Self-rated vocal performance, nervousness, confidence, blinding, and protocol feasibility will also be explored.
Read the detailed description
This randomized parallel-group pilot study will evaluate the safety, tolerability, and acute effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in adolescent singers aged 12 to 16 years.
Twenty-four participants will be allocated in a 1:1 ratio to active or sham stimulation. Active tDCS will be delivered in a single session at 2.0 mA for 20 minutes using 5 × 7 cm electrodes, with the anode positioned over C5 to target the left laryngeal primary motor cortex and the cathode positioned over the right supraorbital region. The sham condition will use the same electrode montage and overall session duration and will reproduce the initial sensations associated with stimulation without sustained current delivery.
Participants will perform the same standardized vocal piece, "Repousa Participants will perform the same standardized vocal piece, "Repousa tranquillo, O meigo Jesus (Lullaby for Baby Jesus)," a traditional Brazilian song listed in ABRSM Singing Grade 2, List A, in G minor, arranged by Hargest Jones and published in Songs of Christmas (Boosey \& Hawkes), at baseline, immediately after stimulation, and approximately two hours after stimulation. Performances will be audiovisually recorded, pseudonymized, randomized, and evaluated by blinded expert raters using an adapted analytical vocal-performance rubric based on Gynnild (2015). The rubric evaluates Technique, Language/Text, Musicality, Ability to Communicate, and Choice of Repertoire using grades A through F converted to numerical values from 5 to 0. Because repertoire is standardized by the protocol, the Choice of Repertoire domain will not contribute to the primary vocal-performance score.
Safety and tolerability will be assessed throughout the session and during follow-up using a structured symptom checklist and predefined stopping criteria. Participants will also provide brief 0-10 ratings of nervousness, confidence, and self-perceived vocal performance. These measures are exploratory and are not intended for psychological diagnosis. The study will additionally assess the effectiveness of blinding and the feasibility of conducting a controlled tDCS protocol in adolescent singers.
Written informed consent from a legal guardian and written assent from the adolescent will be obtained before any study procedure. Participation is voluntary and will not influence grades, artistic selection, scholarships, or continued participation in any musical program.
- Conditions
- Vocal Performance, Neuromodulation
- Being tested
- Active Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), Sham Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
- Keywords
- Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, Adolescent, Vocal Performance, Singers, Laryngeal Motor Cortex, Safety, Tolerability, Motor Performance
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
Participants will receive a single session of active transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). The anode will be positioned over C5, targeting the left laryngeal primary motor cortex, and the cathode over the right supraorbital region using 5 × 7 cm electrodes. Current will be gradually increased to 2.0 mA, maintained for 20 minutes, and gradually reduced at the end of stimulation.
Sham Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)Device
Participants will receive a single sham transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) session using the same electrode montage as the active condition, with the anode positioned over C5 and the cathode over the right supraorbital region using 5 × 7 cm electrodes. An initial ramp-up and brief stimulation period will reproduce the initial sensations associated with tDCS, followed by discontinuation of sustained current. The sham session will have the same overall duration as the active session.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Active tDCS | Experimental | Participants will receive a single 20-minute session of active transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) at 2.0 mA using 5 × 7 cm electrodes, with the anode positioned over C5 to target the left laryngeal primary motor cortex and the cathode positioned over the right supraorbital region. Receives: Device: Active Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) |
| Sham tDCS | Sham comparator | Participants will receive a single 20-minute sham tDCS session using the same electrode montage as the active condition. Sham stimulation will reproduce the initial sensations associated with tDCS through an initial ramp-up and brief stimulation period, without sustained current delivery. 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.
Incidence and Severity of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events Associated With Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
Treatment-emergent adverse events will be assessed using a structured checklist documenting the presence and intensity of tingling/itching, warmth or burning sensation, skin redness, headache, dizziness, nausea, fatigue or drowsiness, visual symptoms, and other spontaneously reported symptoms. Symptoms present at baseline will be recorded, and an event will be considered treatment-emergent if it occurs after the start of stimulation or increases in intensity relative to baseline.
For each event, severity will be categorized as none, mild, moderate, or severe. Stimulation interruptions, inability to complete the stimulation session, and adverse events requiring additional assessment or care will also be recorded. The number and proportion of participants experiencing each treatment-emergent adverse event, together with its severity, will be reported.
Measured: Baseline (pre-stimulation); during the 20-minute stimulation session; immediately post-stimulation; 2 hours post-stimulation; and approximately 24 hours post-stimulation.
Change in Vocal Performance Scores
Vocal performances will be audiovisually recorded and evaluated by blinded independent expert raters using an adapted analytical vocal-performance rubric based on Gynnild (2015). The rubric evaluates Technique, Language/Text, Musicality, Ability to Communicate, and Choice of Repertoire. Performance grades range from A to F and are converted to numerical values from 5 to 0, with higher scores indicating better vocal performance. Because all participants perform the same standardized repertoire, the Choice of Repertoire domain will not contribute to the primary performance score. The primary vocal-performance score will be calculated as the mean of the four applicable domain scores (Technique, Language/Text, Musicality, and Ability to Communicate), each scored from 0 to 5, resulting in an overall mean score ranging from 0 to 5. Higher scores indicate better vocal performance. Changes over time will be compared between the active and sham groups.
Measured: Baseline, immediately after intervention, and 2 hours after intervention
Change in Vocal Performance Scores
Vocal performances will be audiovisually recorded and evaluated by blinded independent expert raters using an adapted analytical vocal-performance rubric based on Gynnild (2015). The rubric evaluates technique, language/text, musicality, ability to communicate, and choice of repertoire. Performance grades range from A to F and are converted to numerical values from 5 to 0, with higher scores indicating better vocal performance. Because all participants perform the same standardized repertoire, the choice-of-repertoire domain will not contribute to the primary performance score. The primary vocal-performance score will be calculated from the applicable rubric domains, and changes over time will be compared between the active and sham groups.
Measured: Baseline, immediately after intervention, and 2 hours after intervention
Secondary outcomes (6)
Change in Self-Reported Vocal Performance
Participants will rate their own vocal performance on a numerical rating scale from 0 to 10, where 0 represents the worst possible performance that day and 10 represents the best possible performance that day. Higher scores indicate better self-perceived vocal performance.
Measured: Baseline, immediately after intervention, and 2 hours after intervention
Change in Self-Reported Nervousness
Participants will rate their nervousness related to the vocal performance on a numerical rating scale from 0 to 10, where 0 represents no nervousness and 10 represents the highest level of nervousness experienced. Higher scores indicate greater self-reported nervousness.
Measured: Baseline, immediately after intervention, and 2 hours after intervention
Change in Self-Reported Confidence
Participants will rate their confidence regarding the vocal performance on a numerical rating scale from 0 to 10, where 0 represents no confidence and 10 represents the highest possible confidence. Higher scores indicate greater self-reported confidence.
Measured: Baseline, immediately after intervention, and 2 hours after intervention
Participant Perception of Intervention Allocation
Participants will report whether they believe they received active stimulation, sham stimulation, or whether they do not know which condition they received. Responses will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of participant blinding.
Measured: At the end of the study session, approximately 2 hours after intervention
Completion Rate
Completion rate will be calculated as the proportion of enrolled participants who complete all planned study procedures, including baseline assessment, the assigned tDCS or sham session, immediate post-intervention assessment, and the 2-hour post-intervention assessment. The number and percentage of participants completing the full study protocol will be reported.
Measured: From enrollment through completion of the 2-hour post-intervention assessment
Protocol Adherence
Protocol adherence will be assessed as the proportion of enrolled participants who complete the assigned stimulation session and all planned study assessments according to the predefined protocol without major protocol deviations. The number and percentage of participants with complete adherence will be reported, and protocol deviations will be documented.
Measured: From enrollment through completion of the 2-hour post-intervention assessment.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted6 Oct 2026
- Study start7 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion30 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (5)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Vocal 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
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- 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
- Collaborators
- Neuromodulacao em Foco
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Frederico Barreto Kochem, Centro Universitário Augusto Motta
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07861490
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 01375026.7.0000.5235-VOCAL
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 30 Sep 2026
- Last updated
- 13 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Publications
Gynnild V. Assessing vocal performances using analytical assessment: a case study. Music Education Research. 2015. doi:10.1080/14613808.2015.1025732.
Oliveira KSC, Gomes AOC, Brito R, Albuquerque RM, de Moura SRC, Monte-Silva K. Optimal Brain Targets for Enhancing Vocal Performance With Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation. J Voice. 2024 Dec 14:S0892-1997(24)00391-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2024.11.011. Online ahead of print.
PubMed 39675945Antal A, Bjekic J, Ganho-Avila A, Alekseichuk I, Assecondi S, Bergmann TO, Bikson M, Brunelin J, Brunoni AR, Charvet L, Chen R, Cohen Kadosh R, Diedrich L, D'Urso G, Ferrucci R, Filipovic SR, Fitzgerald PB, Floel A, Frohlich F, George MS, Hamilton RH, Haueisen J, Hallett M, Herrmann CS, Hummel FC, Jaberzadeh S, Langguth B, Lavidor M, Lefaucheur JP, Miniussi C, Moliadze V, Nikander M, Nikolin S, Nitsche MA, Opitz A, O'Shea J, Padberg F, Plewnia C, Priori A, Ramasawmy P, Razza LB, Rossi S, Rothwell J, Rueger MA, Ruffini G, Sack AT, Salvador R, Schellhorn K, Schuhmann T, Shirota Y, Siebner HR, Thielscher A, Ugawa Y, Uusitalo S, Wexler A, Paulus W, Vanderhasselt MA, Van Waes V, Wessel MJ, Wischnewski M, Baeken C, Ziemann U. Low intensity transcranial electric stimulation: Safety, ethical, legal regulatory and application guidelines (2017-2025: An update) - endorsed by the European Society for Brain Stimulation (ESBS) and by the International Federation for Clinical Neurophysiology (IFCN). Clin Neurophysiol. 2026 Apr;184:2111436. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2025.2111436. Epub 2025 Nov 23.
PubMed 41622107Moliadze V, Schmanke T, Andreas S, Lyzhko E, Freitag CM, Siniatchkin M. Stimulation intensities of transcranial direct current stimulation have to be adjusted in children and adolescents. Clin Neurophysiol. 2015 Jul;126(7):1392-9. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2014.10.142. Epub 2014 Oct 28.
PubMed 25468234Buchanan DM, Bogdanowicz T, Khanna N, Lockman-Dufour G, Robaey P, D'Angiulli A. Systematic Review on the Safety and Tolerability of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Children and Adolescents. Brain Sci. 2021 Feb 10;11(2):212. doi: 10.3390/brainsci11020212.
PubMed 33578648
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 13 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Safety, Tolerability, and Acute Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Vocal Performance in Adolescent Singers Aged 12 to 16 Years: A Randomized Sham-Controlled Proof-of-Concept Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07861490
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 01375026.7.0000.5235-VOCAL
- Conditions
- Vocal Performance, Neuromodulation
- Keywords
- Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, Adolescent, Vocal Performance, Singers, Laryngeal Motor Cortex, Safety, Tolerability, Motor Performance
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 24 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Centro Universitário Augusto MottaUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Neuromodulacao em Foco
- Study start
- 7 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 30 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 6 Oct 2026 (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.
This randomized, sham-controlled proof-of-concept study aims to investigate the safety, tolerability, and acute effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on vocal performance in adolescent singers aged 12 to 16 years. Twenty-four participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to active or sham tDCS. Active stimulation will consist of 2.0 mA anodal tDCS applied for 20 minutes using 5 × 7 cm electrodes, with the anode positioned over C5 to target the left laryngeal primary motor cortex and the cathode over the right supraorbital region. Participants will perform the same standardized vocal piece before stimulation, immediately after stimulation, and approximately two hours after stimulation. Vocal performances will be audiovisually recorded and evaluated by blinded expert raters using an adapted analytical vocal-performance rubric based on Gynnild (2015). Safety and tolerability will be monitored using a structured symptom checklist and predefined stopping criteria. Self-rated vocal performance, nervousness, confidence, blinding, and protocol feasibility will also be explored.
Detailed description
This randomized parallel-group pilot study will evaluate the safety, tolerability, and acute effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in adolescent singers aged 12 to 16 years.
Twenty-four participants will be allocated in a 1:1 ratio to active or sham stimulation. Active tDCS will be delivered in a single session at 2.0 mA for 20 minutes using 5 × 7 cm electrodes, with the anode positioned over C5 to target the left laryngeal primary motor cortex and the cathode positioned over the right supraorbital region. The sham condition will use the same electrode montage and overall session duration and will reproduce the initial sensations associated with stimulation without sustained current delivery.
Participants will perform the same standardized vocal piece, "Repousa Participants will perform the same standardized vocal piece, "Repousa tranquillo, O meigo Jesus (Lullaby for Baby Jesus)," a traditional Brazilian song listed in ABRSM Singing Grade 2, List A, in G minor, arranged by Hargest Jones and published in Songs of Christmas (Boosey \& Hawkes), at baseline, immediately after stimulation, and approximately two hours after stimulation. Performances will be audiovisually recorded, pseudonymized, randomized, and evaluated by blinded expert raters using an adapted analytical vocal-performance rubric based on Gynnild (2015). The rubric evaluates Technique, Language/Text, Musicality, Ability to Communicate, and Choice of Repertoire using grades A through F converted to numerical values from 5 to 0. Because repertoire is standardized by the protocol, the Choice of Repertoire domain will not contribute to the primary vocal-performance score.
Safety and tolerability will be assessed throughout the session and during follow-up using a structured symptom checklist and predefined stopping criteria. Participants will also provide brief 0-10 ratings of nervousness, confidence, and self-perceived vocal performance. These measures are exploratory and are not intended for psychological diagnosis. The study will additionally assess the effectiveness of blinding and the feasibility of conducting a controlled tDCS protocol in adolescent singers.
Written informed consent from a legal guardian and written assent from the adolescent will be obtained before any study procedure. Participation is voluntary and will not influence grades, artistic selection, scholarships, or continued participation in any musical program.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Active tDCS | Experimental | Device: Active Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)Participants will receive a single 20-minute session of active transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) at 2.0 mA using 5 × 7 cm electrodes, with the anode positioned over C5 to target the left laryngeal primary motor cortex and the cathode positioned over the right supraorbital region. |
| Sham tDCS | Sham comparator | Device: Sham Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)Participants will receive a single 20-minute sham tDCS session using the same electrode montage as the active condition. Sham stimulation will reproduce the initial sensations associated with tDCS through an initial ramp-up and brief stimulation period, without sustained current delivery. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 12 to 16 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Age 12 to 16 years, inclusive, at the time of enrollment.
- Regular participation in vocal music training for at least 12 months.
- Ability to safely perform the standardized vocal piece selected for the study.
- General health status compatible with participation, confirmed through a pre-session safety screening.
- No known neurological or clinical condition considered to increase the risk associated with stimulation.
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- History of epilepsy or non-febrile seizures.
- Relevant brain injury, previous cranial surgery, or other neurological condition considered incompatible with the protocol.
- Pacemaker, implanted electronic device, neurostimulator, or cranial metallic implant that could pose a risk or interfere with stimulation.
- Current use of anticonvulsant medication or other medication considered by the study team to represent a contraindication or unacceptable precaution.
- Previous experience with tDCS when such experience could compromise blinding.
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)Participants will receive a single session of active transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). The anode will be positioned over C5, targeting the left laryngeal primary motor cortex, and the cathode over the right supraorbital region using 5 × 7 cm electrodes. Current will be gradually increased to 2.0 mA, maintained for 20 minutes, and gradually reduced at the end of stimulation. | Device | Active tDCS |
| Sham Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)Participants will receive a single sham transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) session using the same electrode montage as the active condition, with the anode positioned over C5 and the cathode over the right supraorbital region using 5 × 7 cm electrodes. An initial ramp-up and brief stimulation period will reproduce the initial sensations associated with tDCS, followed by discontinuation of sustained current. The sham session will have the same overall duration as the active session. | Device | Sham tDCS |
Primary outcome
Incidence and Severity of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events Associated With Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
Time frame: Baseline (pre-stimulation); during the 20-minute stimulation session; immediately post-stimulation; 2 hours post-stimulation; and approximately 24 hours post-stimulation.
Treatment-emergent adverse events will be assessed using a structured checklist documenting the presence and intensity of tingling/itching, warmth or burning sensation, skin redness, headache, dizziness, nausea, fatigue or drowsiness, visual symptoms, and other spontaneously reported symptoms. Symptoms present at baseline will be recorded, and an event will be considered treatment-emergent if it occurs after the start of stimulation or increases in intensity relative to baseline. For each event, severity will be categorized as none, mild, moderate, or severe. Stimulation interruptions, inability to complete the stimulation session, and adverse events requiring additional assessment or care will also be recorded. The number and proportion of participants experiencing each treatment-emergent adverse event, together with its severity, will be reported.
Change in Vocal Performance Scores
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after intervention, and 2 hours after intervention
Vocal performances will be audiovisually recorded and evaluated by blinded independent expert raters using an adapted analytical vocal-performance rubric based on Gynnild (2015). The rubric evaluates Technique, Language/Text, Musicality, Ability to Communicate, and Choice of Repertoire. Performance grades range from A to F and are converted to numerical values from 5 to 0, with higher scores indicating better vocal performance. Because all participants perform the same standardized repertoire, the Choice of Repertoire domain will not contribute to the primary performance score. The primary vocal-performance score will be calculated as the mean of the four applicable domain scores (Technique, Language/Text, Musicality, and Ability to Communicate), each scored from 0 to 5, resulting in an overall mean score ranging from 0 to 5. Higher scores indicate better vocal performance. Changes over time will be compared between the active and sham groups.
Change in Vocal Performance Scores
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after intervention, and 2 hours after intervention
Vocal performances will be audiovisually recorded and evaluated by blinded independent expert raters using an adapted analytical vocal-performance rubric based on Gynnild (2015). The rubric evaluates technique, language/text, musicality, ability to communicate, and choice of repertoire. Performance grades range from A to F and are converted to numerical values from 5 to 0, with higher scores indicating better vocal performance. Because all participants perform the same standardized repertoire, the choice-of-repertoire domain will not contribute to the primary performance score. The primary vocal-performance score will be calculated from the applicable rubric domains, and changes over time will be compared between the active and sham groups.
6 secondary outcomes
Change in Self-Reported Vocal Performance
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after intervention, and 2 hours after intervention
Change in Self-Reported Nervousness
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after intervention, and 2 hours after intervention
Change in Self-Reported Confidence
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after intervention, and 2 hours after intervention
Participant Perception of Intervention Allocation
Time frame: At the end of the study session, approximately 2 hours after intervention
Completion Rate
Time frame: From enrollment through completion of the 2-hour post-intervention assessment
Protocol Adherence
Time frame: From enrollment through completion of the 2-hour post-intervention assessment.
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 13 Oct 2026.
- BackgroundGynnild V. Assessing vocal performances using analytical assessment: a case study. Music Education Research. 2015. doi:10.1080/14613808.2015.1025732.
- Background: PubMed 39675945Oliveira KSC, Gomes AOC, Brito R, Albuquerque RM, de Moura SRC, Monte-Silva K. Optimal Brain Targets for Enhancing Vocal Performance With Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation. J Voice. 2024 Dec 14:S0892-1997(24)00391-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2024.11.011. Online ahead of print.
- Background: PubMed 41622107Antal A, Bjekic J, Ganho-Avila A, Alekseichuk I, Assecondi S, Bergmann TO, Bikson M, Brunelin J, Brunoni AR, Charvet L, Chen R, Cohen Kadosh R, Diedrich L, D'Urso G, Ferrucci R, Filipovic SR, Fitzgerald PB, Floel A, Frohlich F, George MS, Hamilton RH, Haueisen J, Hallett M, Herrmann CS, Hummel FC, Jaberzadeh S, Langguth B, Lavidor M, Lefaucheur JP, Miniussi C, Moliadze V, Nikander M, Nikolin S, Nitsche MA, Opitz A, O'Shea J, Padberg F, Plewnia C, Priori A, Ramasawmy P, Razza LB, Rossi S, Rothwell J, Rueger MA, Ruffini G, Sack AT, Salvador R, Schellhorn K, Schuhmann T, Shirota Y, Siebner HR, Thielscher A, Ugawa Y, Uusitalo S, Wexler A, Paulus W, Vanderhasselt MA, Van Waes V, Wessel MJ, Wischnewski M, Baeken C, Ziemann U. Low intensity transcranial electric stimulation: Safety, ethical, legal regulatory and application guidelines (2017-2025: An update) - endorsed by the European Society for Brain Stimulation (ESBS) and by the International Federation for Clinical Neurophysiology (IFCN). Clin Neurophysiol. 2026 Apr;184:2111436. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2025.2111436. Epub 2025 Nov 23.
- Background: PubMed 25468234Moliadze V, Schmanke T, Andreas S, Lyzhko E, Freitag CM, Siniatchkin M. Stimulation intensities of transcranial direct current stimulation have to be adjusted in children and adolescents. Clin Neurophysiol. 2015 Jul;126(7):1392-9. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2014.10.142. Epub 2014 Oct 28.
- Background: PubMed 33578648Buchanan DM, Bogdanowicz T, Khanna N, Lockman-Dufour G, Robaey P, D'Angiulli A. Systematic Review on the Safety and Tolerability of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Children and Adolescents. Brain Sci. 2021 Feb 10;11(2):212. doi: 10.3390/brainsci11020212.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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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.
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 Vocal 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 8 inclusion and 8 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 13 Oct 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?
Contact Frederico Barreto Kochem, PT, PhD (+55 24 98156-9166, frederico_kochem@hotmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Incidence and Severity of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events Associated With Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (time frame: Baseline (pre-stimulation); during the 20-minute stimulation session; immediately post-stimulation; 2 hours post-stimulation; and approximately 24 hours post-stimulation.). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. 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 NCT07861490, which also lists 5 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 13 Oct 2026.