Using Exercise and Electrical Brain Stimulation to Improve Memory in Dementia (NCT03670615) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Using Exercise and Electrical Brain Stimulation to Improve Memory in Dementia
Canada60 participantsStarted 2018-11-28
Plain-language summary
Mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease are conditions that involve memory difficulties. Transcranial direct current stimulation is a type of brain stimulation. It may help improve these memory difficulties. However, it works better on active brain areas. This study looks at if combining exercise and applying current to important parts of the brain can help improve memory in people with Mild Cognitive Impairment or Alzheimer's disease.
Who can participate
Age range
50 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Males or females ≥50 years of age
* DSM-5 criteria for major or mild neurocognitive disorder due to AD or mixed AD/vascular disease
* Mild severity of impairment (standardized Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ≥19)
* Read and communicate in English
Exclusion Criteria:
* Change in cognitive enhancing medications (ChEIs and/or memantine) less than 3 months prior to study screen
* Change in anticonvulsants or psychotropic medications less than 1 month prior to study screen
* Currently taking benzodiazepines
* Presence of metal implants that would preclude safe use of tDCS (e.g. pace-maker)
* Significant neurological condition (e.g. epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis)
* Current psychiatric disorders (e.g. schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, psychosis) or current substance use disorder
* Medical contraindications to increasing activity level according to the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology Questionnaire
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale Cog (ADAS-Cog) - Word Recognition Task errors at study endpoint (T3)
Timeframe: Study endpoint (two-weeks post baseline)