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Effects of Transcranial Electrical Stimulation on Task Performance in Healthy Adults
Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital
Summary
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.
Official title: Preliminary Investigations of Transcranial Electrical Stimulation Effects on Neurophysiology and Behavior
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
25 Years - 55 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
44
Start Date
2022-12-01
Completion Date
2024-10-31
Last Updated
2026-05-15
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
Active Transcranial Electrical Stimulation
Active tES delivered using the Soterix Medical MXN-33 HD-tES stimulator. Stimulation is applied via high definition electrodes targeting either the left DLPFC or L-aINS at intensities up to 1.9 mA. Stimulation is performed for up to 45 minutes during task execution. Participants perform the ROBoT-r task during stimulation.
Sham Transcranial Electrical Stimulation
Sham tES using the same Soterix Medical MXN-33 HD-tES stimulator and electrode placements. Stimulation ramps up and down over 20 seconds to mimic sensation but provides no continuous current. Participants perform the ROBoT-R task under sham conditions.
Locations (1)
Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute
Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States