None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of brain stimulation on memory in those with Parkinson’s disease. The investigation will use a type of transcranial current stimulation (TCS) called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to examine the effect of stimulation on memory. Some of the difficulties that individuals with Parkinson’s disease often experience are problems with their memory. Research has found marked impairment in the accuracy of memory tasks when compared to those without the disease. Transcranial direct current stimulation is a technique that non-invasively stimulates the brain by applying electrical currents to a small region of the scalp, which transmit into the brain. The currents are usually in the order of a few milliamps and stimulation lasts for several minutes. For the current project, the strength will be 2 milliamperes (mA) and delivered for 20 minutes to test the impact this has on memory performance.
Interventions
Transcranial direct current stimulation is a technique that non-invasively stimulates the brain by applying electrical currents to a small region of the scalp, which transmit into the brain. For the current project, the current strength will be 2 milliamperes (mA). Two milliamps is low strength stimulation and you may feel some tingling sensations from the stimulation.
The tDCS session involves continuous stimulation at a fixed current of 2 milliamperes (mA) that is applied to the scalp, whic
Transcranial direct current stimulation is a technique that non-invasively stimulates the brain by applying electrical currents to a small region of the scalp, which transmit into the brain. For the current project, the current strength will be 2 milliamperes (mA). Two milliamps is low strength stimulation and you may feel some tingling sensations from the stimulation. The tDCS session involves continuous stimulation at a fixed current of 2 milliamperes (mA) that is applied to the scalp, which will be delivered for 20 minutes. The intervention group will only receive a single 20 minute session of tDCS. The student researcher, Ms. Johanna Stephens, will be administering the treatment. Ms Stephens has received training in administering tDCS. In most cases tDCS poses a negligible risk. Mild tingling sensations under the electrodes during tDCS and minor headaches have been reported after stimulation and the electrodes can cause some redness on the scalp that typically last up to an hour. However, no serious adverse events have been reported. Participants will be instructed to report any discomfort they experience during the stimulation and that the stimulation will be terminated immediately if this should occur. At the completion of the tDCS, participants will be asked to complete a questionnaire regarding any side-effects they had. This will provide a record for the researcher and results are typically reported in the manuscript. Testing will be conducted at Swinburne University of Technology (Hawthorn campus).
Sponsors
University of Melbourne
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Primary purpose
Treatment
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
1. Have a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease 2. Those aged between 18 and 80 years of age 3. Have normal or corrected-to-normal vision 4. Have normal or corrected-to-normal hearing 5. Speak and understand English fluently Normal or corrected-to-normal vision and hearing will be assessed informally by the researcher, Ms. Johanna Stephens. Participants will be asked if they need glasses/hearing aid or assistance.
Exclusion criteria
1. Currently involved in any therapeutic trial 2. Previously experienced moderate or severe head injury/stroke/other neurological impairment 3. Had neurosurgery 4. Major medical illness (cardiovascular; diabetes requiring insulin; severe migraine) 5. Previous diagnosis of PTSD, personality disorder, schizophrenia and/or psychosis. 6. Anxiety disorder in the last 6 months 7. Significant psychiatric illness requiring hospitalisation 8. Major depression in the last 6 months 9. Dementia/hallucinations 10. Indication of excess alcohol abuse 11. Currently taking medications known to have a significant effect on CNS other than anti-PD medication 12. Diagnosis or special education for learning disability 13. History of epilepsy or seizure disorders 14. Metal implant in their head or body (including surgical implants, pace-makers, orthodontic braces).
Outcome results
None listed