tDCS and Musical Performance in Young Orchestra Musicians
NCT ID: NCT06958081
Last Updated: 2025-05-08
Study Results
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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NOT_YET_RECRUITING
NA
24 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2025-06-01
2025-12-31
Brief Summary
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* Does active tDCS improve musical performance compared to sham stimulation?
* Does active tDCS reduce music performance anxiety and increase musical self-efficacy? Researchers will compare the active tDCS group to the sham stimulation group to see if active stimulation has positive effects on musical performance and psychological factors.
Participants will:
* Receive either active or sham tDCS stimulation
* Perform a musical piece before and after stimulation
* Complete questionnaires about anxiety and musical self-confidence
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Detailed Description
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A total of 24 musicians, aged 18 to 30 years, with at least three years of orchestral experience, will be randomly assigned to either an active tDCS group or a sham stimulation group. The stimulation will target the supplementary motor area (SMA) using a 2.0 mA anodal current for 30 minutes, with the cathode placed over Fp2. The sham group will undergo the same electrode placement, but the current will be turned off after 30 seconds.
The study will adopt a double-blind design, where neither participants, care providers, investigators, nor outcome assessors will know the group allocations. Each participant will perform a standardized musical piece before and after the intervention, and after a 2-hour interval post-intervention. Performances will be recorded and evaluated by independent expert judges using the Rubric for the Assessment of Music Performance Achievement.
Psychometric evaluations will be conducted using the Mazzarolo Music Performance Anxiety Scale (M-MPAS) and the General Musical Self-Efficacy Scale. Self-assessments of performance and sensations during stimulation will also be collected. Data analysis will compare changes in musical performance, anxiety, and self-efficacy between groups.
This study seeks to provide preliminary evidence on the potential of tDCS to enhance musical performance and psychological factors such as performance anxiety and self-confidence among young musicians. Safety and feasibility of the intervention will also be monitored throughout the study.
Conditions
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Study Design
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RANDOMIZED
PARALLEL
TREATMENT
TRIPLE
Study Groups
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Active tDCS
Participants will receive active transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with a 2.0 mA anodal current applied over the supplementary motor area (FCz) and cathodal electrode over Fp2 for 30 minutes.
Active transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
2.0 mA anodal stimulation applied over FCz with cathode over Fp2 for 30 minutes using a transcranial direct current stimulation device.
Sham tDCS
Participants will receive sham transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with the same electrode placement as the active group; however, the current will be turned off after 30 seconds to simulate the initial sensations without delivering prolonged stimulation.
Sham transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
Sham stimulation mimicking the sensations of tDCS; the current will be turned off after 30 seconds while maintaining electrode placement over FCz and Fp2.
Interventions
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Active transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
2.0 mA anodal stimulation applied over FCz with cathode over Fp2 for 30 minutes using a transcranial direct current stimulation device.
Sham transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
Sham stimulation mimicking the sensations of tDCS; the current will be turned off after 30 seconds while maintaining electrode placement over FCz and Fp2.
Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
* Minimum of 3 years of orchestral performance experience.
* Active participation in a stable orchestra or ensemble.
* No history of neurological or psychiatric disorders.
* Not currently using psychotropic medications or recreational drugs.
* Willingness to participate in all study sessions.
* Signed informed consent form.
Exclusion Criteria
* Presence of implanted electronic devices (e.g., pacemaker).
* History of epilepsy or seizures.
* Prior experience with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS).
* Scalp dermatitis or lesions at the electrode placement sites.
* Pregnancy.
18 Years
30 Years
ALL
Yes
Sponsors
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Centro Universitário Augusto Motta
OTHER
Responsible Party
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Frederico Barreto Kochem
Principal Investigator and Professor at Centro Universitário Augusto Motta (UNISUAM)
Principal Investigators
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Ricardo Galhardoni, Ph.D
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
Neuromodulação em Foco
Renato Santos de Almeida, Ph.D
Role: STUDY_CHAIR
Centro Universitário Augusto Motta
Débora Cristina Lima da Silva, Ph.D
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
Centro Universitário Augusto Motta
Locations
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Centro Universitário Augusto Motta (UNISUAM)
Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Countries
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Central Contacts
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Frederico Barreto Kochem, PT, Ph.D, Post-Doctoral Fellow
Role: CONTACT
Facility Contacts
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Frederico Barreto Kochem, PT, Ph.D, Post-Doctoral Fellow
Role: primary
References
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Álvarez-Díaz M, Muñiz-Bascón LM, Soria-Alemany A, Veintimilla-Bonet A, Fernández-Alonso R. On the design and validation of a rubric for the evaluation of performance in a musical contest. International Journal of Music Education. 2021;39(1):66-79. doi:10.1177/0255761420936443
Mazzarolo I, Schubert E. A Short Performance Anxiety Scale for Musicians. Front Psychol. 2022 Jan 26;12:781262. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.781262. eCollection 2021.
Sanchez-Kuhn A, Perez-Fernandez C, Canovas R, Flores P, Sanchez-Santed F. Transcranial direct current stimulation as a motor neurorehabilitation tool: an empirical review. Biomed Eng Online. 2017 Aug 18;16(Suppl 1):76. doi: 10.1186/s12938-017-0361-8.
Anic A, Olsen KN, Thompson WF. Investigating the Role of the Primary Motor Cortex in Musical Creativity: A Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Study. Front Psychol. 2018 Oct 1;9:1758. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01758. eCollection 2018.
Chinzara TT, Buckingham G, Harris DJ. Transcranial direct current stimulation and sporting performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis of transcranial direct current stimulation effects on physical endurance, muscular strength and visuomotor skills. Eur J Neurosci. 2022 Jan;55(2):468-486. doi: 10.1111/ejn.15540. Epub 2022 Jan 6.
Bikson M, Grossman P, Thomas C, Zannou AL, Jiang J, Adnan T, Mourdoukoutas AP, Kronberg G, Truong D, Boggio P, Brunoni AR, Charvet L, Fregni F, Fritsch B, Gillick B, Hamilton RH, Hampstead BM, Jankord R, Kirton A, Knotkova H, Liebetanz D, Liu A, Loo C, Nitsche MA, Reis J, Richardson JD, Rotenberg A, Turkeltaub PE, Woods AJ. Safety of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: Evidence Based Update 2016. Brain Stimul. 2016 Sep-Oct;9(5):641-661. doi: 10.1016/j.brs.2016.06.004. Epub 2016 Jun 15.
Other Identifiers
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88146925.0.0000.5235
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id
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