Healthy
Conditions
Brief summary
Investigation of how a single session of an attentional filter exercise of distractor inhibition combined with tDCS modulates cognitive functions like working memory, decision making and attentional control.
Detailed description
The study is designed as a between subject design with two groups defined by real or sham tDCS. The distractor inhibition exercise is conducted under either sham or real tDCS. Cognitive performance is assessed pre and post tDCS application, complemented by a short-termed follow-up on a consecutive day. Interindividual working memory capacity at baseline is taken into consideration.
Interventions
DEVICEtranscranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
sham or real tDCS for 10 minutes of 1.5 milliampere (mA) tDCS targeting the prefrontal and the posterior parietal cortex
Sponsors
German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)
Study design
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 30 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* right-handed * aged between 18 and 30 years * normal or corrected to normal vision * German-speaking
Exclusion criteria
* dyschromatopsia * neurological or neuropsychiatric diseases * low seizure threshold * neurological medication * metal implants in the head
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Performance change in computerized attentional filter exercise | 45 minutes on 1st day (pre) and on consecutive day (post) | attentional filtering performance (in % correct), effects of distractor interference for different set sizes |
| Reaction change in computerized attentional filter exercise | 45 minutes on 1st day (pre) and on consecutive day (post) | reaction times (in milliseconds), effects of distractor interference for different set sizes |
| Performance change in working memory and filtering performance | 30 minutes per pre-assessment, post assessment directly after intervention and short-termed follow-up on the consecutive day | Working memory and filtering performance (in % correct), effects of distractor interference for different set sizes |
| Reaction change in working memory and filtering performance | 30 minutes per pre-assessment, post assessment directly after intervention and short-termed follow-up on the consecutive day | reaction times (in milliseconds), effects of distractor interference for different set sizes |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment of Sleep Quality | 10 minutes on first and consecutive day | daily questionnaire assessing subjective rating of sleep of the previous night on 5- to 7-point Likert format and open questions (subjective quality of sleep, current fatigue, duration of sleep); no total score |
| Spatial Span | 10 minutes per pre-assessment and short-termed follow-up on the consecutive day | computerized spatial span forward and backward |
| Daily Strategy Questionnaires | 5 minutes on first and consecutive day | reporting of used strategies in tested paradigms (open questions; subjects reported in written notes); self developed questionnaire for qualitative analyses of task demands; no scores; Question: Did you use a strategy? If so, please explain shortly. |
| Daily Performance Questionnaires | 5 minutes on first and consecutive day | self developed questionnaire assessing subjective performance in tested paradigms (5-point Likert format); no total or sub score; Question 1: How difficult would you rate the task? (lowest (1) = very difficult; highest (5) = very easy) Question 2: Do you think your performance changed in the course of the task? (lowest (1) = strongly worsened; highest (5) = strongly improved) |
| Iowa Gambling Task | 7 minutes per pre-assessment, post assessment directly after intervention and short-termed follow-up on the consecutive day | Decision making performance |
| Trait-Anxiety | 2 minutes on first day | Assessment of trait anxiety via State-Trait-Anxiety-Inventory on first day |
| State-Anxiety | 2 minutes on first and consecutive day | Daily assessment of state anxiety via State-Trait-Anxiety-Inventory at the beginning of each testing day |
Countries
Germany
Contacts
Primary ContactMarlen Schmicker
Outcome results
None listed