RECRUITING

Multi-session Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation to Improve Dual-task Standing and Brain Activity in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment

Study Overview

This clinical trial focuses on testing the efficacy of different digital interventions to promote re-engagement in cancer-related long-term follow-up care for adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of childhood cancer.

Description

Older adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) often show less brain activity in a specific range (8-13 Hz, known as alpha power) compared to healthy older adults. Those with lower alpha activity, especially in the front part of the brain, usually have problems with executive functions like planning and multitasking. Our research has shown that older adults with lower alpha power in these areas also struggle more with balance when they have to do two things at once (like standing and performing a cognitive task simultaneously). The investigators believe that increasing alpha power in older adults with MCI could improve their balance and executive function, helping them stay independent longer. In early studies, the investigators found that using transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) at 10 Hz on the front part of the brain can boost alpha power and balance immediately after a single session in older adults with MCI. The effect was stronger in those whose natural brain activity was close to the 10 Hz stimulation. Based on these findings, the investigators plan to conduct a pilot study with older adults aged 65-85 years with MCI. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either real tACS or a sham (placebo) treatment. Our main hypothesis is that real tACS will improve balance when multitasking, and these improvements will last for 1 to 3 months after the treatment. The investigators also believe that tACS will enhance other aspects of executive function and mobility and that these improvements will be linked to increased alpha activity in the brain. Through this study, we aim to gather strong evidence that tailored tACS is a promising treatment to improve cognitive and motor functions and overall brain activity in older adults with MCI.

Official Title

Multi-session Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation to Improve Dual-task Standing and Brain Activity in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment

Quick Facts

Study Start:2025-05-13
Study Completion:2026-12-31
Study Type:Not specified
Phase:Not Applicable
Enrollment:Not specified
Status:RECRUITING

Study ID

NCT07097051

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Ages Eligible for Study:65 Years to 85 Years
Sexes Eligible for Study:ALL
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:No
Standard Ages:OLDER_ADULT
Inclusion CriteriaExclusion Criteria
  1. * Age 65+
  2. * Who have been diagnosed with cognitive impairment (based in MoCA or TICS and Clinical Dementia Rating: CDR 0.5)
  3. * Ability to stand and walk independently
  4. * Willing and capable to give informed consent for the participation in the study after it has been thoroughly explained
  5. * Cut off of MOCA score \>18 will be applied
  6. * Able and willing to comply with all study requirements informed consent form was signed
  7. * Understanding of the ICF will be assessed by asking the participant to answer the following three questions: 1) What is the purpose of this study? 2) What are the risks of study involvement? 3) If you decide to participate, are you allowed to withdraw from the study at any time? Answers will be recorded by study personnel on the "Assessment of Protocol Understanding" form (see attached). Insufficient understanding will be defined by one or more incorrect answers, as determined at the discretion of the investigator.
  1. * Cut off of MOCA score \<18 will be applied
  2. * Major psychiatric co-morbidity including major depressive disorder, schizophrenia or psychosis
  3. * Blindness or other disabilities that prevent task performance
  4. * Self-reported history of stroke or neurodegenerative disorders other than MCI.
  5. * Self-reported active cancer for which chemo-/radiation therapy is being received.
  6. * Contraindications to tACS, as recorded on a standardized screening questionnaire, which include a reported seizure within the past two years, use of neuro-active drugs, self-reported presence of specific implanted medical devices (e.g., deep brain stimulator, medication infusion pump, cochlear implant, pacemaker, etc.), or the presence of any active dermatological condition, such as eczema, on the scalp.

Contacts and Locations

Study Contact

Melike Kahya
CONTACT
3368419632
mkahya@highpoint.edu

Study Locations (Sites)

High Point University
High Point, North Carolina, 27262
United States

Collaborators and Investigators

Sponsor: High Point University

Study Record Dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Registration Dates

Study Start Date2025-05-13
Study Completion Date2026-12-31

Study Record Updates

Study Start Date2025-05-13
Study Completion Date2026-12-31

Terms related to this study

Keywords Provided by Researchers

  • brain stimulation
  • balance
  • cognition
  • executive function

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

  • Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)