tDCS and Musical Performance in Young Orchestra Musicians (NCT06958081) | Clinical Trial Compass
Active — Not RecruitingNot Applicable
tDCS and Musical Performance in Young Orchestra Musicians
Brazil24 participantsStarted 2025-06-01
Plain-language summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can improve the technical, expressive, and stage aspects of musical performance in young orchestra musicians aged 18 to 30 years. The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Does active tDCS improve musical performance compared to sham stimulation?
* Does active tDCS reduce music performance anxiety and increase musical self-efficacy? Researchers will compare the active tDCS group to the sham stimulation group to see if active stimulation has positive effects on musical performance and psychological factors.
Participants will:
* Receive either active or sham tDCS stimulation
* Perform a musical piece before and after stimulation
* Complete questionnaires about anxiety and musical self-confidence
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 30 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:
* Musicians aged 18 to 30 years.
* Minimum of 3 years of orchestral performance experience.
* Active participation in a stable orchestra or ensemble.
* No history of neurological or psychiatric disorders.
* Not currently using psychotropic medications or recreational drugs.
* Willingness to participate in all study sessions.
* Signed informed consent form.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Presence of metallic implants in the head (e.g., cranial pins, aneurysm clips).
* Presence of implanted electronic devices (e.g., pacemaker).
* History of epilepsy or seizures.
* Prior experience with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS).
* Scalp dermatitis or lesions at the electrode placement sites.
* Pregnancy.
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
Change in Musical Performance Scores (Rubric for the Assessment of Music Performance Achievement)
Timeframe: Baseline, immediately after intervention, and 2 hours after intervention