1. To determine the effects of tDCS on subjective measures of sleepiness in night-shift workers with shift work disorder. 2. To determine the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on vigilance in night-shift workers with shift work disorder.
This is a preliminary single-arm study. The study will last up to 6 weeks including the screening period. Subjects will receive active tDCS for 30 minutes before their scheduled work hours at least 3x/week for two consecutive weeks. Outcome measures will include: psychomotor vigilance test (PVT) and the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS)25,26 which will be obtained during the shift work.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
30
tDCS is a form of noninvasive, painless, brain stimulation that uses a mild direct electrical current passed between electrodes on the scalp to modify neuronal membrane resting potential in a polarity dependent manner, elevating or lowering neuron excitability in a region.
The Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio, United States
Psychomotor Vigilance Test
Objective measure of sleepiness. Scale ranges between each individual, with the reciprocal of the reaction time being reported.
Time frame: 3 minutes
Karolinska Sleepiness Scale
Subjective measure of sleepiness. Scale ranges from 1-9, with total score being reported.
Time frame: 5 minutes
Epworth Sleepiness Scale
Subjective measure of sleepiness. The scale ranges from 0-24, with the total score being reported.
Time frame: 5 minutes
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