NCT07160218

Effects of tDCS and Cognitive Rehabilitation on Cognition and Neural Plasticity in MS Patients

The Effect of Trans-cranial Direct Current Stimulation and Cognitive Rehabilitation on Cognitive Functions and Neuronal Plasticity inPatients With Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 45 (actual)
• Sponsor: Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 20 Years – 50 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and cognitive rehabilitation can improve cognitive functions and neuronal plasticity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The participant population consists of MS patients (both sexes, adults), who commonly experience cognitive impairment in addition to physical and psychological symptoms. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does tDCS applied over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex improve cognitive abilities in MS patients? Does the combination of tDCS and cognitive rehabilitation enhance neuroplasticity, as measured by DTI, BDNF levels, and acetylcholinesterase activity?

Conditions

• Multiple Sclerosis

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	tDCS	A 30-minute tDCS session with the cathode placed over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), delivered in 10 sessions over 2 weeks. This protocol targets cognitive improvement in MS patients
DEVICE	Cognitive Rehabilitation	computer-based cognitive rehabilitation exercises. Conducted in 10 sessions over 2 weeks to enhance attention, memory, and neuroplasticity in MS patients.
DEVICE	Sham tDCS	Sham stimulation applied over the left DLPFC for 30 minutes, mimicking the sensation of tDCS without delivering active current, over 10 sessions, used as control to blind participants to the intervention

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-01-02
• Primary completion: 2025-08-01
• Completion: 2025-08-15
• First posted: 2025-09-08
• Last updated: 2025-09-08

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Iran