NCT03670615

Using Exercise and Electrical Brain Stimulation to Improve Memory in Dementia

Exercise Augmenting Cognition tDCS (EXACT): A Pilot Study of a Combined Exercise and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Intervention for Cognition

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (actual)
• Sponsor: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 50 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

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.

Detailed description

Objectives: To assess the efficacy of a combined exercise and tDCS treatment for improving cognitive outcomes in mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer's disease. Study Design: Eligible participants will be randomized to one of three interventions: Exercise and tDCS, Treatment as usual (TAU/exercise education) and tDCS, or Exercise and sham tDCS. Participants randomized to an exercise group will undergo exercise, followed by either sham or active tDCS. Participants randomized to TAU will receive written information in accordance with the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines for older adults and tDCS for the same duration. Cognition, neuropsychiatric symptoms and blood samples for biomarker analysis will be collected.

Conditions

• Mild Cognitive Impairment
• Alzheimer Disease

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	tDCS	All study participants randomized to tDCS will receive active tDCS.
OTHER	Exercise	Participants will exercise at TRI according to an individualized exercise prescription.
OTHER	Exercise Education	Exercise education/ treatment as usual will include routine advice about physical activity for older adults.
OTHER	Sham tDCS	The same procedure for tDCS will be used for the sham condition, except without active current.

Timeline

• Start date: 2018-11-28
• Primary completion: 2025-08-01
• Completion: 2025-08-06
• First posted: 2018-09-13
• Last updated: 2026-03-30

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Canada