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tDCS in Adults With ASD and/or ADHD Without Intellectual Disability

NCT06946433 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 25

Last updated 2025-08-01

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn about the safety and tolerability of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with cognitive training in adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and/or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

The main question it aims to answer is:

Is tDCS safe and well-tolerated in adults with ASD and/or ADHD?

Researchers will compare active tDCS to a sham (placebo-like) stimulation to evaluate safety and tolerability.

Participants will:

Receive either active or sham tDCS for 20 minutes daily over 10 consecutive workdays

Undergo stimulation with the anode placed at F3 and the cathode at Fp2

Complete daily cognitive training exercises using the NeuronUP platform during stimulation

Attend baseline and follow-up assessments to monitor for any side effects or discomfort related to the intervention

Conditions

Interventions

DEVICE

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation - Active

This intervention involves non-invasive brain stimulation using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) delivered via saline-soaked sponge electrodes. The anode is placed at F3 (left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) and the cathode at Fp2 (right frontopolar cortex), according to the international 10-20 EEG system. A 2 mA current is applied for 20 minutes per session, administered once daily on 10 consecutive workdays. During stimulation, participants engage in cognitive training using the NeuronUP platform, which provides structured, interactive tasks designed to train executive function, attention, and working memory. This combination aims to enhance neural plasticity by pairing neuromodulation with cognitive engagement.

DEVICE

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation - Sham

The sham condition mimics the active setup but delivers only brief ramp-up/down stimulation, producing the initial sensation without sustained current.

BEHAVIORAL

Cognitive Training

The cognitive training intervention in this study is delivered through NeuronUP, a digital platform offering evidence-based cognitive stimulation activities. This intervention targets core cognitive domains such as working memory, attention, and executive function through personalized, interactive tasks. What distinguishes this approach is NeuronUP's extensive library of over 10,000 activities, its ability to tailor difficulty levels in real time based on individual performance, and the inclusion of functional tasks that mirror real-life scenarios. Unlike other interventions, NeuronUP also enables therapist-guided customization, allowing for individualized treatment plans that evolve with participant progress, ensuring both relevance and ecological validity.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron Research Institute

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2022-11-07
Primary Completion
2024-01-19
Completion
2024-01-19

Countries

  • Spain

Study Locations

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Entities

Diseases

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT06946433 on ClinicalTrials.gov