Effects of Transcranial Electrical Stimulation on Task Performance in Healthy Adults

Completed · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Healthy, Brain Stimulation, Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), Cognition, Psychomotor Performance, Neurophysiology

In brief

The objective of this randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, crossover study is to evaluate the effects of transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) on complex cognitive task performance in healthy adult volunteers. The primary questions this study aims to answer are: 1. Does tES improve task performance, including speed, accuracy, and overall success, during a computerized track-and-capture task? 2. Do different stimulation targets produce differential effects on performance? 3. Are there short-term post-stimulation effects on task performance (up to 48 hours)? Participants will: 1. Complete two testing sessions under either active or sham stimulation conditions. 2. Perform a complex operational task involving dual-hand controllers while undergoing tES or sham stimulation, and immediately after. 3. Return for follow-up task performance assessments at 24 and 48 hours post-stimulation to evaluate after-effects.

Key facts

Study ID: NCT06995560
Run by: Massachusetts General Hospital
People needed: 44
Starts: 2022-12-01
Expected to finish: 2024-10-31
Last updated by the study team: 2026-05-15

Who can join

Age: 25 and older, up to 55. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

Age 25 to 55 years
Master's or Doctorate degree, or equivalent relevant experience
No history of head injury or neurological or psychiatric disorders
No history of cardiac disease
No metal implants in the head
No implanted electronic devices
Not taking medication affecting neural or cardiovascular function
Able to provide written, dated informed consent

You may not qualify if…

Smoking within the past year
Current illegal drug use
Alcohol abuse
Pregnancy (confirmed by urine test)
Participation in another brain stimulation protocol within the past month

Where it is running

Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute — Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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