Effects of tDCS-enhanced Cognitive Control Training on Depression

NCT ID: NCT03518749

Last Updated: 2019-02-19

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

UNKNOWN

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

57 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2018-03-19

Study Completion Date

2019-12-31

Brief Summary

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Deficient cognitive control (CC) is one of the central characteristics of major depression (MD). Hypoactivation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) has been linked with this deficit. Antidepressants and cognitive-behavioral therapies modify CC most-likely as a common mechanism of treatment. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a safe, simple and effective non-invasive method to modulate the cortical excitability. It has been shown, that the activity of the dlPFC can be modulated by transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with polarity-dependent learning-phase specific effects on performance that, when combined with training, can outlast the stimulation.

The goal of this randomized, sham-controlled, rater blind clinical trial is to investigate the effect of a tDCS-enhanced CC Training (CCT) on depressive symptom severity and compare the stimulation intensities 1mA, 2mA and sham tDCS. Overall, the study will include 57 participants (n = 19 per group). Each participant will complete 12 training sessions with online sham/ anodal tDCS.

As a training task we will use an adaptive version of the paced auditory serial addition task (PASAT). In the PASAT, digits are presented auditive and participants have to add the current digit to the digit they heard before. In the adaptive version the interstimulus-intervals decrease (increase) when four consecutive trials are correct (incorrect). The PASAT is known to elicit frustration. Participants have to exert cognitive control over these emotions to complete the task successfully.

Before, during and after the training symptom severity will be assessed. Baseline and post-training performance in the PASAT and in a transfer task (delayed working memory task, DWM) will be measured.

To further explore variables that influence the effect of tDCS on depressive symptom severity we will measure brain activity (EEG, NIRS), heart rate, global functioning (GAF), emotion regulation strategies, self-esteem, mood ratings and subjective performance ratings before and after the training and collect genetic factors.

Sustainability of the training effects will be measured at a follow-up visit (3 months later).

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Depression Unipolar

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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1mA anodal tDCS + cognitive control training

1 mA anodal tDCS will be administered to the left dlPFC (F3) for 23 mins during the performance of a cognitive control training.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

1mA tDCS

Intervention Type OTHER

transcranial direct current stimulation with the intensity of 1mA

Cognitive control training

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

cognitive control training with the PASAT

2mA tDCS + cognitive control training

2 mA anodal tDCS will be administered to the left dlPFC (F3) for 23 mins during the performance of a cognitive control training.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

2mA tDCS

Intervention Type OTHER

transcranial direct current stimulation with the intensity of 2mA

Cognitive control training

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

cognitive control training with the PASAT

sham tDCS + cognitive control training

Sham tDCS (30 secs of tDCS) will be administered to the left dlPFC (F3) with 2mA at the beginning of a cognitive control training.

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Cognitive control training

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

cognitive control training with the PASAT

Interventions

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1mA tDCS

transcranial direct current stimulation with the intensity of 1mA

Intervention Type OTHER

2mA tDCS

transcranial direct current stimulation with the intensity of 2mA

Intervention Type OTHER

Cognitive control training

cognitive control training with the PASAT

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* current Major Depressive Episode
* right handedness

Exclusion Criteria

* history of seizures
* Intracranial implants (e.g. aneurysm clips, shunts, stimulators, cochlear implants, or electrodes) or any other metal object within or near the head, excluding the mouth, that cannot be safely removed
* pregnancy
* use of mood stabilizers
* diagnosed bipolar disorder
* current substance abuse (nicotine excluded)
* current substance addiction (nicotine excluded)
* diagnosed psychotic diseases
* diagnosed anorexia nervosa
* diagnosed personality disorders: cluster A, antisocial personality disorder,
* borderline personality disorder
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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German Federal Ministry of Education and Research

OTHER_GOV

Sponsor Role collaborator

Universität Tübingen

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

University Hospital Tuebingen

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Locations

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University Hospital Tuebingen

Tübingen, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Germany

Central Contacts

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Christian Plewnia, MD

Role: CONTACT

+49 (0)7071-2986121

Facility Contacts

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Christian Plewnia, Prof., MD

Role: primary

0049 7071 29 86121

Anja Sommer, M.Sc.

Role: backup

0049 7071 29 86127

References

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Sommer A, Fallgatter AJ, Plewnia C. Investigating mechanisms of cognitive control training: neural signatures of PASAT performance in depressed patients. J Neural Transm (Vienna). 2022 Jun;129(5-6):649-659. doi: 10.1007/s00702-021-02444-7. Epub 2021 Nov 23.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 34812928 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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01EE1403D-2

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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