Accelerated Intermittent Theta-burst Stimulation to Modify Cognitive Function and Balance in Dementia and Memory Loss

Launched by MCMASTER UNIVERSITY · May 31, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

Approximately 20-30% of Canadian adults \>65 years old experience falls each year, and this rate drastically increases for those \>85 years of age \[2\]. With the aging population, the number of annual reported falls has increased by 47% from 2008 to 2020 \[3\]. Individuals with cognitive impairment exhibit an 8x higher risk of falls compared to those without \[4\]. Balance is a key risk factor for falls \[5-7\], and there is evidence suggesting that balance control is a marker of cognitive decline \[8\]. For example, cognitive function is significantly correlated with postural control \[9\...

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Individuals must be diagnosed with Dementia and/or memory loss by a clinician.
• • 2. Individuals must exhibit adequate oral communication skills and cognitive function sufficient to obtain a score ranging between 10-27 on the Mini-Mental State Exam (Wu et al., 2022).
• • 3. Instructions will be delivered in English; therefore participants must demonstrate an understanding of instruction provided in English or have a caregiver present who can translate and be presented during all study sessions.
• • 4. Individuals must be able to walk or stand with or without personnel or assistive devices.
• • 5. Individuals must be greater than or equal to 50 years of age.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Contraindications to rTMS; presence of a pacemaker, metal/electrical/magnetic implants not including titanium, known history of untreated or uncontrolled psychological disorders, pregnancy, history of seizure or diagnoses of epilepsy, are taking any prescription medications that increase the risk of seizure.