Comparing the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with cognitive rehabilitation in autism

Comparing the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with and without cognitive rehabilitation based on computerized task and occupational performance on executive functions in children with autism spectrum disorder aged 8-14 years

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

IRCT

Registry ID

IRCT20150223021208N2

Enrollment

Registered

2020-11-20

Start date

2020-12-21

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2020-11-30

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Autism spectrum disorder. Autistic disorder

Interventions

Intervention 1: Intervention group 1: twelve sessions of tDCS with electrode size 25 CM2 and 1 mA intensity in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex region (F3), which is determined according to th

the reference electrode is placed on F4. Thirty seconds after starting current stimulation gradually reaches 1 mA and the final 30 seconds of current stimulation gradually decreases from 1 mA to zero.

The first 30 minutes of each occupational cognitive rehabilitation program session will include meaningful and purposeful activities and games to improve executive functions, and the second 30 minutes

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

8 Years to 14 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: Children aged 8-14 years with a diagnosis of level 1 autism spectrum disorder based on the diagnosis of a child psychiatrist and assessment by the GARS If receive medication, at least two weeks have been passed since the start of the drug

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: comorbid neurological disorder receiving the tDCS during the previous year

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Executive function. Timepoint: before, after, and 1 month after the intervention (follow-up). Method of measurement: Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF)- Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST)- Tower of London (ToL)- Stroop test.;Occupational performance. Timepoint: before, after, and 1 month after the intervention (follow-up). Method of measurement: Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM).	—

Measure

Time frame

Executive function. Timepoint: before, after, and 1 month after the intervention (follow-up). Method of measurement: Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF)- Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST)- Tower of London (ToL)- Stroop test.;Occupational performance. Timepoint: before, after, and 1 month after the intervention (follow-up). Method of measurement: Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM).

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Countries

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Contacts

Public ContactDr Samaneh Karamali Esmaili

Iran University of Medical Sciences

samauneh.esmaeili@gmail.com+98 21 2222 7124

Outcome results

None listed

Source: IRCT (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026