Effect of home-based transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment: a study protocol for a randomized, double-blind, cross-over study

This study will be conducted in 20 elderly people aged 60 to 80  years with complaints of subjective memory impairment while maintaining general functions with limited activities of daily living. This study involves a cross-over design that will include 2-week active or sham stimulation of both dorsolateral prefrontal cortexes (left, anode; right, cathode) ran domly with a 2-week wash-out phase. Changes in cognitive function will be evaluated using visual recognition tasks and neuropsychological tests. In this study, tDCS will be carried out by each patient at his/her home and its safety and suitability will be evaluated.DiscussionIn this study, patients will apply a portable tDCS, developed for home use, for more than 2  weeks. Such studies can contribute to the use of tDCS as a realistic therapy. In addition, the utility of home-based tDCS will be confirmed by application of tDCS at home by the elderly with declined cognitive function. Furthermore, confirmation of tDCS as a significant therapeutic method can fac ilitate treatment of Alzheimer’s dementia at an early stage, including MCI.Trial registrationClinical Research Information Service (CRIS),KCT0002721. Registered on 9 March 2018.
Source: Trials - Category: Research Source Type: clinical trials