Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Cognitive Remediation Therapy for Interictal Dysfunction in Epilepsy

NCT ID: NCT02950506

Last Updated: 2022-01-18

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

WITHDRAWN

Clinical Phase

NA

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2020-01-01

Study Completion Date

2020-03-01

Brief Summary

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The purpose of this study is to investigate whether tDCS enhances the effect of cognitive remediation therapy on cognition and functional outcome in patients with epilepsy. There has been evidence that working memory performance is enhanced in healthy subjects. Acute tDCS studies have found improvements in working memory performance in subjects with other neurological diseases. To date, there have been no published studies examining whether can enhance learning during multi-session cognitive remediation over 2 weeks in subjects with epilepsy. This study could have potential application as a non-invasive clinical intervention for interictal dysfunction in epilepsy.

Detailed Description

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Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder affecting 50 million people worldwide. Patients suffer not only from recurring seizures, but also from cognitive deficits despite adequate treatment control. Cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) is a therapeutic intervention that has recently shown promise in improving cognitive impairment in many neuropsychological disorders. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive method that modulates cortical excitability. It works by applying weak electrical currents to the scalp that induce acute modifications of neuronal membrane potentials, producing long-lasting changes in the bioelectric activity of underlying brain tissue. It is postulated that tDCS enhances benefit gained through cognitive remediation therapy. These interventions have yet to be combined with each other for the treatment of interictal dysfunction in patients with epilepsy. The goal of the study is to investigate whether the introduction of tDCS in addition to CRT is effective in the treatment of cognitive impairment in patients suffering from epilepsy.

Conditions

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Epilepsy

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Investigators

Study Groups

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Active tDCS

There will be a total of 14 visits in the study: will complete a screening visit, an initial visit, 10 session visits with active tDCS(transcranial direct current stimulation) andcognitive remediation therapy, and follow--up visits immediately (within 5 days), 1 and 3 months after the last intervention. Subjects will be informed of their group assignment at the end of the study.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

transcranial direct current stimulation

Intervention Type DEVICE

The anode will be placed over left DLPFC at F3, according to the 10-20 international system for EEG electrode placement. The cathode will be placed over the contralateral supraorbital area. They will be placed via two saline soaked electrode sponges (3 cm x 4.5 cm).After electrodes have been placed, the participants will be instructed to log into CRT software using a unique patient identifier. The CRT software that will be used will be Cogmed working memory training program (Pearson Education, Inc.)Active tDCS will be applied at a ramp-like fashion from 0 to 2mA over 10 seconds, and will be ramped down for the last 10 seconds of stimulation. Active tDCS will last 20 minutes each session. The sham procedure involves only 30 seconds of stimulation at 2mA.

Cognitive Remediation Therapy

Intervention Type OTHER

The CRT software that will be used will be Cogmed working memory training program (Pearson Education, Inc.). Cogmed is a targeted computerized training program that has been shown to improve working memory and attention. (Spencer-Smith 2015).

Sham tDCS

There will be a total of 14 visits in the study: will complete a screening visit, an initial visit, 10 session visits with sham tDCS and cognitive remediation therapy, and follow--up visits immediately (within 5 days), 1 and 3 months after the last intervention. Subjects will be informed of their group assignment at the end of the study.

Group Type SHAM_COMPARATOR

Cognitive Remediation Therapy

Intervention Type OTHER

The CRT software that will be used will be Cogmed working memory training program (Pearson Education, Inc.). Cogmed is a targeted computerized training program that has been shown to improve working memory and attention. (Spencer-Smith 2015).

Interventions

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transcranial direct current stimulation

The anode will be placed over left DLPFC at F3, according to the 10-20 international system for EEG electrode placement. The cathode will be placed over the contralateral supraorbital area. They will be placed via two saline soaked electrode sponges (3 cm x 4.5 cm).After electrodes have been placed, the participants will be instructed to log into CRT software using a unique patient identifier. The CRT software that will be used will be Cogmed working memory training program (Pearson Education, Inc.)Active tDCS will be applied at a ramp-like fashion from 0 to 2mA over 10 seconds, and will be ramped down for the last 10 seconds of stimulation. Active tDCS will last 20 minutes each session. The sham procedure involves only 30 seconds of stimulation at 2mA.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Cognitive Remediation Therapy

The CRT software that will be used will be Cogmed working memory training program (Pearson Education, Inc.). Cogmed is a targeted computerized training program that has been shown to improve working memory and attention. (Spencer-Smith 2015).

Intervention Type OTHER

Other Intervention Names

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tDCS Starstim Starstim Enobio Starstim 20 Starstim Enobio 20 Neuroelectrics Starstim CRT Cogmed

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Age 18-64
* Epilepsy diagnosis confirmed by the UMN Comprehensive Epilepsy Center
* Complete seizure logs of the type in standard clinic use at the UMN Comprehensive Epilepsy Center for at least 12 weeks prior to study entry
* Stable CNS medications for the 2 weeks prior to the initiation visit and expected to continue with current medication doses for the two weeks of the intervention
* No diagnosis of mental retardation (IQ not less than 70) or pervasive developmental disorder
* At least one subtest of learning and memory less than --1.5 SD
* Sufficient spoken English so as to be able to comprehend testing procedures
* Competent and willing to provide consent

Exclusion Criteria

* Occurrence of generalized convulsive status epilepticus or of complex partial status epilepticus within 1 year prior to study entry
* Occurrence of more than 1 generalized tonic-clonic (GTC) seizure per month, or more than 4 complex partial (CP) seizures per week, as reported in the subject's seizure logs for 12 weeks prior to study entry
* Occurrence of GTC seizure within 48 hours before testing
* Any anti-epileptic medication changes or hospitalizations in the previous 4 weeks
* Additional neurologic disorder other epilepsy and cognitive dysfunctions
* History of metallic cranial plates, screws, or implanted devices
* History of craniotomy
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

64 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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University of Minnesota

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Thomas Henry, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Minnesota

Locations

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University of Minnesota Comprehensive Epilepsy Center(MINCEP)

Saint Louis Park, Minnesota, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

References

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Other Identifiers

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CTSI24219

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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