1. To examine the effect of a two-week tDCS intervention of 3 months of continued tDCS intervention versus 3 months of receiving a placebo treatment (dummy). On the costs of performing an action task (dual task cost) walking speed, cognitive measures and motor function. 2. To examine whether the effects of tDCS build up over time by creating a delayed start mechanism in the intervention (delayed-start design) 3. Examining mechanical and neuroplastic effects of tDCS intervention 4. To examine the response to tDCS over time
* The study aims to investigate the mechanical and neuroplastic effects of a tDCS intervention. * The intervention consists of an initial two-week period of tDCS application, followed by three months of continued tDCS treatment. * A placebo group will receive a dummy treatment for three months to compare the outcomes. * The study will measure various parameters including the costs of performing an action task (dual task cost), walking speed, cognitive measures, and motor function. * A delayed-start design will be used to determine if the effects of tDCS build up over time.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
64
The immediate intervention group will continue to receive five tDCS treatments per week for 6 months. The late intervention group will receive five sham treatments per week for 3 months and then begin receiving five weekly tDCS treatments for an additional 3 months.
Accuracy in Serial Subtractions Task
articipants will perform serial subtractions from a random 3-digit number between 200 and 999. Accuracy will be measured as the percentage of correct subtractions.
Time frame: 45-second
Usual walk
fNIRS with walking trial 20m indoor course with 180-degree turns at each end and an instrumented gait mat in the middle.
Time frame: 45-second
Walk with the cognitive task (DT)
fNIRS with walking trial 20m indoor course with 180-degree turns at each end and an instrumented gait mat in the middle.
Time frame: 45-second
Mobility - SPPB (Short Physical Performance Battery)
Evaluating participants' physical performance through a battery of tests including balance, walking speed, and chair stand tests.
Time frame: 9 months
Mobility - 4 m Gait Test
Measuring participants' gait speed over a 4-meter distance.
Time frame: 9 months
Mobility - Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I)
Participants' fear of falling and confidence in performing daily activities without falling will be assessed using the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I). Scale: Scores range from 16 to 64, with higher scores indicating a greater fear of falling (worse outcome).
Time frame: 9 months
Mobility - Habitual Physical Activity and Real-World Gait
Monitoring participants' habitual physical activity and gait in real-world settings using an Axivity sensor taped to the lower back.
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Time frame: 9 months
Mood- Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS
A 15-item questionnaire used to assess depressive symptoms in older adults. Scale: Scores range from 0 to 15, with higher scores indicating more severe depressive symptoms (worse outcome).
Time frame: 9 months
Mood- SF-36 (Short Form Health Survey)
A 36-item questionnaire used to assess overall health-related quality of life, including emotional well-being. Scale: Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better health and well-being (better outcome).
Time frame: 9 months
anxiety- Geriatric Anxiety Inventory - Short Form (GAI-SF)
Questionnaire: Geriatric Anxiety Inventory - Short Form (GAI-SF). Scores range from 0 to 20, with higher scores indicating greater anxiety (worse outcome).
Time frame: 9 months
apathy
The Apathy Scale is used to assess the level of apathy in participants. Scale: Scores range from 0 to 42, with higher scores indicating greater apathy (worse outcome).
Time frame: 9 months
Functional Activity Questionnaire
Functional Activity Questionnaire- Scores range from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating greater difficulty in performing daily activities (worse outcome).
Time frame: 9 months
Cognitive Function - Motor Screening Task
Assessment: The Motor Screening Task will evaluate participants' basic motor abilities using a computerized test. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better motor function.
Time frame: 9 months
Cognitive Function - Reaction Time
Reaction Time will be measured to assess the speed of cognitive processing using a computerized test. Scale: Reaction time is measured in milliseconds, with lower times indicating faster cognitive processing (better outcome).
Time frame: 9 months
cognitive Function
battery to minimize procedural learning. ll tests have excellent psychometric properties and normative data suitable for our sample. validated battery of computerized tests (CANTAB Connect Research).Specific tests include the Motor Screening Task, Reaction Time, Paired Associates Learning, Spatial Working Memory, Pattern Recognition Memory, Delayed Matching to Sample, and Rapid Visual Information Processing. Additionally, participants will complete the MoCA, RAVLT, and Category and Phonemic Fluency tests.
Time frame: 9 months
Cognitive Function - Paired Associates Learning
The Paired Associates Learning test will evaluate memory function by assessing participants' ability to recall associations between objects and locations. Scale: Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better memory function.
Time frame: 9 months
Cognitive Function - Spatial Working Memory
Spatial Working Memory will be assessed using a computerized test to evaluate participants' ability to retain and manipulate spatial information. Scale: Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better working memory.
Time frame: 9 months
Cognitive Function - Pattern Recognition Memory
Pattern Recognition Memory will be tested to measure participants' visual memory and pattern recognition abilities. Scale: Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better pattern recognition. Scale: Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better working memory.
Time frame: 9 months
Cognitive Function - Delayed Matching to Sample
Delayed Matching to Sample will be used to evaluate visual memory and matching abilities after a delay. Scale: Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better matching abilities. Scale: Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better working memory.
Time frame: 9 months
Cognitive Function - Rapid Visual Information Processing
The Rapid Visual Information Processing task will assess sustained attention and visual processing speed. Scale: Accuracy is scored from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better sustained attention. Reaction time is measured in milliseconds, with lower times indicating faster processing. Scale: Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better working memory.
Time frame: 9 months
Cognitive Function - Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
The MoCA will be used to evaluate global cognitive function across multiple domains. Scale: Scores range from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating better cognitive function.
Time frame: 9 months
Cognitive Function - Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT)
The RAVLT will assess verbal memory through recall and recognition tasks. Scale: Scores range from 0 to 15 for immediate recall, with higher scores indicating better memory performance. Scale: Scores range from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating better cognitive function.
Time frame: 9 months
Cognitive Function - Category and Phonemic Fluency Tests
These tests will evaluate participants' semantic knowledge and word retrieval abilities. Scale: Scores represent the number of correct words generated within a time limit, with higher scores indicating better fluency. Scale: Scores range from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating better cognitive function.
Time frame: 9 months
Height
Height will be measured in meters.
Time frame: 9 months
Weight
Weight will be measured in kilograms.
Time frame: 9 months
Medical History
Medical History
Time frame: 9 months
Blood Pressure
Blood Pressure
Time frame: 9 months