Effects of tDCS for Enhancing Cognitive Function in Individuals With Persistent Post-Concussion Syndrome

Recruiting now · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, Post-Concussion Syndrome, Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

In brief

Globally, 10 million new traumatic brain injury (TBI) cases are estimated annually, with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) accounting for 75-90% of all TBI cases. It is estimated that 40-80% of individuals with mTBI may experience the post-concussion syndrome (PCS), which is characterized by a range of physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms. Although the underlying basis of cognitive dysfunction of patients with persistent PCS remains to be clarified, converging evidence shows that the clinical symptoms is underpinned by abnormal neural information processing as a result of axonal injury due to mTBI. Recent studies have demonstrated abnormalities in both structural and functional cortical connectivity, and a loss of cortical excitability-inhibitory (E/I) balance after TBI. Yet, there is no consensus for treating chronic symptoms of concussion, and PCS remains a chronic and highly disabling condition. One potential treatment option is transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that has been shown to modify behavior by enhancing connectivity between targeted brain areas. However, research on the therapeutic effect of tDCS on PCS symptoms is limited, and the neurologic mechanisms underlying its effects are not well understood. The proposed study aims to address these knowledge gaps by examining the effects of tDCS on the central nervous system function in patients with PCS, with a specific focus on functional cortical connectivity and cognitive functions such as processing speed and executive function. The study also aims to add value to existing evidence by potentially opening new directions for designing intervention programs for the treatment of PCS after mTBI.

Key facts

Study ID: NCT06376500
Run by: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
People needed: 40
Starts: 2025-09-01
Expected to finish: 2028-02-01
Last updated by the study team: 2025-09-19

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 65. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

being 18 years old or older;
having a history of a mild TBI (less than 30 minutes loss of consciousness) 1-6 years prior to the study;
able to communicate in Chinese.

You may not qualify if…

being without a confirmed diagnosis from the medical practitioner;
having a history of other neurological and psychiatric disorders, skull defect, recent medical instability (within 3 weeks);
being pregnant;
being medication for a psychiatric condition (e.g., major depression, anxiety, schizophrenia);
with any implanted devices or suffering from real claustrophobia or feel uncomfortable in small, enclosed spaces, like MRI tunnel

Where it is running

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University — Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

Trial information comes from ClinicalTrials.gov and is refreshed daily. TrialsForMe does not provide medical care and does not run the studies it lists.