This study will test the preliminary efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to improve fatigue and cognition in women with a history of breast cancer and persistent fatigue.
Fatigue and cognitive dysfunction are commonly reported symptoms associated with impaired quality of life and productivity in breast cancer survivors. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been shown to improve both fatigue and cognition. Here tDCS will be used in a randomized, sham-controlled, double-blind, cross-over trial in women who have finished treatment of breast cancer and who report persistent fatigue. Participants will complete measures of fatigue and cognition before and after five consecutive days of active or sham tDCS then complete questionnaires by phone one week later. Participants will return about one month later for another five days of participation, followed by another brief study phone call the following week.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
7
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a safe, portable, non-invasive form TDCS is a form of non-invasive electrical brain stimulation using low amplitude direct current to facilitate neuronal transmission beneath scalp electrodes.
Sham Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)..
Sibley Memorial Hospital
Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States
Johns Hopkins Hospital
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Johns Hopkins Greenspring Station
Lutherville, Maryland, United States
Change on Paced Auditory Serial Attention Test (PASAT)
Change in auditory working memory as measured by the PASAT prior to and following the intervention. PASAT scores range from 0 to 120, with higher scores reflecting better working memory. Larger positive change scores reflect greater improvement in performance from baseline whereas greater negative change scores reflect declines in performance from baseline.
Time frame: Baseline and Day 5
Change on Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Cognitive Scale (FACT-Cog)
Change in subjective cognitive functioning as measured by the FACT-Cog Perceived Cognitive Impairment scale prior to and following the intervention. Raw scores range from 0 to 72, with higher scores reflecting better perceived cognitive functioning. Larger positive change scores reflect greater improvement in subjective cognitive functioning from baseline whereas greater negative change scores reflect declines in subjective cognitive functioning from baseline.
Time frame: Baseline and Day 5
Change in Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory- SF (MFSI-SF)
Change in subjective fatigue as measured by the MFSI-SF prior to and following the intervention. Raw scores range from -36 to + 144, with higher scores reflecting greater levels of fatigue. Larger positive change scores reflect greater improvement in fatigue from baseline whereas greater negative change scores reflect declines in fatigue from baseline.
Time frame: Baseline and Day 5
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