Home-based transcranial direct current stimulation in mild neurocognitive disorder due to possible Alzheimer’s disease. A randomised, single-blind, controlled-placebo study
IntroductionMild neurocognitive disorder (mNCD), a pre-dementia stage close to Mild Cognitive Impairment, shows a progressive and constant decline in the memory domain. Of the non-pharmacological therapeutic interventions that may help to decelerate the neurodegenerative progress, transcranial direc...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1071737/full |
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| author | Encarnacion Satorres Joaquin Escudero Torrella Elena Real Alfonso Pitarque Iraida Delhom Juan C. Melendez |
| author_facet | Encarnacion Satorres Joaquin Escudero Torrella Elena Real Alfonso Pitarque Iraida Delhom Juan C. Melendez |
| author_sort | Encarnacion Satorres |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionMild neurocognitive disorder (mNCD), a pre-dementia stage close to Mild Cognitive Impairment, shows a progressive and constant decline in the memory domain. Of the non-pharmacological therapeutic interventions that may help to decelerate the neurodegenerative progress, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) shows beneficial effects on the learning curve, immediate recall, immediate verbal memory and executive functions. The purpose of this research was to study the effect of tDCS on general cognition, immediate and delayed memory and executive functions by comparing an active group with a placebo group of mNCD patients.MethodsParticipants were 33 mNCD due to possible AD, randomly assigned to two groups: 17 active tDCS and 16 placebo tDCS. Ten sessions of tDCS were conducted over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Several neuropsychological scales were administered to assess the primary outcome measures of general cognitive function, immediate and delayed memory and learning ability, whereas the secondary outcome measures included executive function tests. All participants were evaluated at baseline and at the end of the intervention. Mixed ANOVAs were performed.ResultsSignificant effects were obtained on general cognitive function, immediate and delayed memory and learning ability, with increases in scores in the active tDCS group. However, there were no significant effects on executive function performance.ConclusionThe present study demonstrated the effectiveness of tDCS in an active tDCS group, compared to a placebo group, in improving general cognition and immediate and delayed memory, as previous studies found. Taken together, our data suggest that tDCS is a simple, painless, reproducible and easy technique that is useful for treating cognitive alterations found in neurodegenerative diseases. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T01:19:46Z |
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| id | doaj.art-a335c440900642c787e915dcc3ddd4c8 |
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| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T01:19:46Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-a335c440900642c787e915dcc3ddd4c82023-01-03T14:40:01ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782023-01-011310.3389/fpsyg.2022.10717371071737Home-based transcranial direct current stimulation in mild neurocognitive disorder due to possible Alzheimer’s disease. A randomised, single-blind, controlled-placebo studyEncarnacion Satorres0Joaquin Escudero Torrella1Elena Real2Alfonso Pitarque3Iraida Delhom4Juan C. Melendez5Faculty of Psychology, University of Valencia, Valencia, SpainNeurology Department, Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, SpainFaculty of Psychology, University of Valencia, Valencia, SpainFaculty of Psychology, University of Valencia, Valencia, SpainFaculty of Psychology, Jaume I University, Castellón de La Plana, SpainFaculty of Psychology, University of Valencia, Valencia, SpainIntroductionMild neurocognitive disorder (mNCD), a pre-dementia stage close to Mild Cognitive Impairment, shows a progressive and constant decline in the memory domain. Of the non-pharmacological therapeutic interventions that may help to decelerate the neurodegenerative progress, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) shows beneficial effects on the learning curve, immediate recall, immediate verbal memory and executive functions. The purpose of this research was to study the effect of tDCS on general cognition, immediate and delayed memory and executive functions by comparing an active group with a placebo group of mNCD patients.MethodsParticipants were 33 mNCD due to possible AD, randomly assigned to two groups: 17 active tDCS and 16 placebo tDCS. Ten sessions of tDCS were conducted over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Several neuropsychological scales were administered to assess the primary outcome measures of general cognitive function, immediate and delayed memory and learning ability, whereas the secondary outcome measures included executive function tests. All participants were evaluated at baseline and at the end of the intervention. Mixed ANOVAs were performed.ResultsSignificant effects were obtained on general cognitive function, immediate and delayed memory and learning ability, with increases in scores in the active tDCS group. However, there were no significant effects on executive function performance.ConclusionThe present study demonstrated the effectiveness of tDCS in an active tDCS group, compared to a placebo group, in improving general cognition and immediate and delayed memory, as previous studies found. Taken together, our data suggest that tDCS is a simple, painless, reproducible and easy technique that is useful for treating cognitive alterations found in neurodegenerative diseases.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1071737/fullageingmemoryexecutive functiontranscranial electric stimulationneurocognitive disorder |
| spellingShingle | Encarnacion Satorres Joaquin Escudero Torrella Elena Real Alfonso Pitarque Iraida Delhom Juan C. Melendez Home-based transcranial direct current stimulation in mild neurocognitive disorder due to possible Alzheimer’s disease. A randomised, single-blind, controlled-placebo study Frontiers in Psychology ageing memory executive function transcranial electric stimulation neurocognitive disorder |
| title | Home-based transcranial direct current stimulation in mild neurocognitive disorder due to possible Alzheimer’s disease. A randomised, single-blind, controlled-placebo study |
| title_full | Home-based transcranial direct current stimulation in mild neurocognitive disorder due to possible Alzheimer’s disease. A randomised, single-blind, controlled-placebo study |
| title_fullStr | Home-based transcranial direct current stimulation in mild neurocognitive disorder due to possible Alzheimer’s disease. A randomised, single-blind, controlled-placebo study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Home-based transcranial direct current stimulation in mild neurocognitive disorder due to possible Alzheimer’s disease. A randomised, single-blind, controlled-placebo study |
| title_short | Home-based transcranial direct current stimulation in mild neurocognitive disorder due to possible Alzheimer’s disease. A randomised, single-blind, controlled-placebo study |
| title_sort | home based transcranial direct current stimulation in mild neurocognitive disorder due to possible alzheimer s disease a randomised single blind controlled placebo study |
| topic | ageing memory executive function transcranial electric stimulation neurocognitive disorder |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1071737/full |
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