Investigating the Effectiveness of a 2-week Novel Non-invasive Brain Stimulation Technique on Cognitive Outcomes in Healthy Adults

Launched by NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY · May 18, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new non-invasive brain stimulation technique called transcranial pulsed current stimulation (tPCS) to see if it can improve cognitive skills, like working memory and task switching, in healthy adults aged 21 to 75. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: some will receive tPCS, others will receive a similar technique called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and a third group will receive a sham treatment that simulates stimulation without any real effects. The researchers want to find out if tPCS is more effective or better tolerated than the other treatments after one session and after two weeks of repeated sessions.

To participate in the trial, you should be between 21 to 75 years old, right-handed, and a native English speaker. You should not have any diagnosed neurological or psychiatric conditions, and your health needs to be stable if you have certain medical conditions. Participants will complete cognitive tasks before and after the stimulation sessions, and their brain activity will be monitored during these tasks. The trial is not yet recruiting, but it aims to help us understand how this new technique could potentially benefit cognitive functions in older adults.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Male and female young (21 to 30 years) and older adults (60 to 75 years)
• • Right-handed
• • Must be a native English speaker
• • No clinical diagnosis of neurodevelopmental, mood, neurological or neurodegenerative disorders
• • Adults with cardiometabolic or cardiovascular conditions may participate if their condition is controlled and stable with medication and / or lifestyle interventions
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Currently on long-term medication for pain or migraines / headaches
• • Adults with metallic implants in the chest or head region
• • Adults with epilepsy, or known seizure or immediate family members that have had a seizure before
• • Had a recent head injury that resulted in a temporary loss of consciousness or of memory in the last 12 months
• • Had prior head surgery
• • Prone to fainting
• • Sensitive skin or prone to skin allergies