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Safety and Acute Effects of tDCS on Vocal Performance in Adolescent Singers
Sponsor: Centro Universitário Augusto Motta
Summary
This randomized, sham-controlled proof-of-concept study aims to investigate the safety, tolerability, and acute effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on vocal performance in adolescent singers aged 12 to 16 years. Twenty-four participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to active or sham tDCS. Active stimulation will consist of 2.0 mA anodal tDCS applied for 20 minutes using 5 × 7 cm electrodes, with the anode positioned over C5 to target the left laryngeal primary motor cortex and the cathode over the right supraorbital region. Participants will perform the same standardized vocal piece before stimulation, immediately after stimulation, and approximately two hours after stimulation. Vocal performances will be audiovisually recorded and evaluated by blinded expert raters using an adapted analytical vocal-performance rubric based on Gynnild (2015). Safety and tolerability will be monitored using a structured symptom checklist and predefined stopping criteria. Self-rated vocal performance, nervousness, confidence, blinding, and protocol feasibility will also be explored.
Official title: Safety, Tolerability, and Acute Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Vocal Performance in Adolescent Singers Aged 12 to 16 Years: A Randomized Sham-Controlled Proof-of-Concept Study
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
12 Years - 16 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
24
Start Date
2026-10-07
Completion Date
2026-12-31
Last Updated
2026-10-13
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
Active Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
Participants will receive a single session of active transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). The anode will be positioned over C5, targeting the left laryngeal primary motor cortex, and the cathode over the right supraorbital region using 5 × 7 cm electrodes. Current will be gradually increased to 2.0 mA, maintained for 20 minutes, and gradually reduced at the end of stimulation.
Sham Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
Participants will receive a single sham transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) session using the same electrode montage as the active condition, with the anode positioned over C5 and the cathode over the right supraorbital region using 5 × 7 cm electrodes. An initial ramp-up and brief stimulation period will reproduce the initial sensations associated with tDCS, followed by discontinuation of sustained current. The sham session will have the same overall duration as the active session.
Locations (1)
Orquestra Maré do Amanhã
Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil