N/A N=40 Randomized Double-blind Basic Science

Effects of Transcranial Electrical Stimulation on Task Performance in Healthy Adults

Healthy · Brain Stimulation · Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) · Cognition · Psychomotor Performance

Bottom Line

View on ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT06995560 ↗

Enrolled (actual)

Serious AEs

0.0%

Results posted

May 2026

Primary outcome: Primary: ROBoT-r Task Performance Score (During Stimulation) — 73.19; 75.33; 76.64; 77.62 score on a scale (0-100) — p=0.049

Study Design & Population

Study type: Interventional
Phase: N/A
Interventions: Active Transcranial Electrical Stimulation (Device); Sham Transcranial Electrical Stimulation (Device)
Age: Adult · 25+ yrs
Sex: All
Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital
Primary completion: Oct 2024

Outcome Measures

Outcome	Result	p-value
PRIMARY ROBoT-r Task Performance Score (During Stimulation)	73.19; 75.33; 76.64; 77.62	0.049 sig
PRIMARY ROBoT-r Task Performance Score (Post-Stimulation)	76.41; 77.31; 78.80; 77.55	—
PRIMARY ROBoT-r Task Performance Score (Post-Stimulation Follow-up)	77.43; 78.47; 78.40; 78.99; 78.59; 79.81	—
SECONDARY tES Adverse Effects Questionnaire	3; 2; 3; 2; 0; 1	—
SECONDARY fNIRS Data Availability	20; 20; 20; 20	—

Summary

The objective of this randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, crossover study is to evaluate the effects of transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) on complex cognitive task performance in healthy adult volunteers. The primary questions this study aims to answer are: 1. Does tES improve task performance, including speed, accuracy, and overall success, during a computerized track-and-capture task? 2. Do different stimulation targets produce differential effects on performance? 3. Are there short-term post-stimulation effects on task performance (up to 48 hours)? Participants will: 1. Complete two testing sessions under either active or sham stimulation conditions. 2. Perform a complex operational task involving dual-hand controllers while undergoing tES or sham stimulation, and immediately after. 3. Return for follow-up task performance assessments at 24 and 48 hours post-stimulation to evaluate after-effects.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

Age 25 to 55 years
Master's or Doctorate degree, or equivalent relevant experience
No history of head injury or neurological or psychiatric disorders
No history of cardiac disease
No metal implants in the head
No implanted electronic devices
Not taking medication affecting neural or cardiovascular function
Able to provide written, dated informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

Smoking within the past year
Current illegal drug use
Alcohol abuse
Pregnancy (confirmed by urine test)
Participation in another brain stimulation protocol within the past month

View full record on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06995560). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication.