This 2-armed randomized, sham-controlled, single-blind study aims at providing evidence for the efficacy of a transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)-enhanced cognitive control training (PASAT) in participants with subjective cognitive decline (SCD). Overall, the study will include 30 participants. Each participant will take part in a four weeks training (12 sessions); 50% of the participants will receive 2mA anodal tDCS for 20 minutes applied to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), the other half will receive sham stimulation. Event-related potentials (ERPs) evoked by the feedback on the correctness of the response at baseline and after training will be measured with EEG as neurophysiological signatures of cognitive control. Near and far transfer will be assessed by a verbal 2-back task and the Trail Making Test A and B. The amount of worrying regarding the memory impairment will be quantified by means of a 10 point Likert-Scale. Together with changes of PASAT performance these measures will be obtained before and after the tDCS-enhanced training. Follow-up assessments 3, 12 and 24 months after training will investigate the stability of training effects.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
30
20 minutes of 2 mA anodal stimulation; Electrode placement: left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (F3, EEG 10/20 system), return electrode at the right upper arm.
University of Tübingen, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
Tübingen, Germany
Change in amount of worrying regarding the memory impairment
The amount of worrying regarding the memory impairment will be quantified by means of a 10-point Likert-Scale
Time frame: 4 weeks
Group comparison (active vs. sham tDCS) regarding the change in amount of correct answers in the PASAT task from baseline to end of training period.
Time frame: 4 weeks
Group comparison (active vs. sham tDCS) regarding the change in amount of correct answers in the verbal 2-back task (pre-session outcomes compared with post-session and follow-up outcomes).
Time frame: 2 years
Group comparison (active vs. sham tDCS) regarding changes in Trail Making Task A and B outcomes (pre-session outcomes compared with post-session and follow-up outcomes).
Time frame: 2 years
Group comparison (active vs. sham tDCS) regarding changes in Satisfaction With Life Scale outcomes (pre-session outcomes compared with post-session and follow-up outcomes).
Time frame: 2 years
Group comparison (active vs. sham tDCS) regarding changes in the Neuropsychological Test Battery CERAD-Plus (pre-session outcomes compared with follow-up outcomes).
Time frame: 2 years
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