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Would transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) enhance the effects of working memory training in older adults with mild neurocognitive disorder due to Alzheimer’s disease: study protocol for a…

Overview of attention for article published in Trials, October 2015
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Title
Would transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) enhance the effects of working memory training in older adults with mild neurocognitive disorder due to Alzheimer’s disease: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Published in
Trials, October 2015
DOI 10.1186/s13063-015-0999-0
Pubmed ID
Authors

Calvin P. W. Cheng, Sandra S. M. Chan, Arthur D. P. Mak, Wai Chi Chan, Sheung Tak Cheng, Lin Shi, Defeng Wang, Linda Chiu-Wa Lam

Abstract

There has been longstanding interesting in cognitive training for older adults with cognitive impairment. In this study, we will investigate the effects of working memory training, and explore augmentation strategies that could possibly consolidate the effects in older adults with mild neurocognitive disorder. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been demonstrated to affect the neuronal excitability and reported to enhance memory performance. As tDCS may also modulate cognitive function through changes in neuroplastic response, it would be adopted as an augmentation strategy for working memory training in the present study. This is a 4-week intervention double-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) of tDCS. Chinese older adults (aged 60 to 90 years) with mild neurocognitive disorder due to Alzheimer's disease (DSM-5 criteria) would be randomized into a 4-week intervention of either tDCS-working memory (DCS-WM), tDCS-control cognitive training (DCS-CC), and sham tDCS-working memory (WM-CD) groups. The primary outcome would be working memory test - the n-back task performance and the Chinese version of the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale - Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog). Secondary outcomes would be test performance of specific cognitive domains and mood. Intention-to-treat analysis would be carried out. Changes of efficacy indicators with time and intervention would be tested with mixed effect models. This study adopts the theory of neuroplasticity to evaluate the potential cognitive benefits of non-invasive electrical brain stimulation, working memory training and dual stimulation in older adults at risk of cognitive decline. It would also examine the tolerability, program adherence and adverse effects of this novel intervention. Information would be helpful for further research of dementia prevention studies. ChiCTR-TRC- 14005036 Date of registration: 31 July 2014.

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Geographical breakdown

Country Count As %
United Kingdom 1 <1%
Spain 1 <1%
Germany 1 <1%
Unknown 280 99%

Demographic breakdown

Readers by professional status Count As %
Student > Master 44 16%
Student > Bachelor 37 13%
Student > Ph. D. Student 34 12%
Researcher 24 8%
Student > Doctoral Student 14 5%
Other 55 19%
Unknown 75 27%
Readers by discipline Count As %
Psychology 52 18%
Medicine and Dentistry 42 15%
Neuroscience 27 10%
Nursing and Health Professions 25 9%
Unspecified 10 4%
Other 40 14%
Unknown 87 31%