Zapping the brain to sharpen focus after concussion: new study

NCT ID NCT04925453

Symptom relief Sponsor: United States Naval Medical Center, San Diego Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This completed pilot study tested whether a gentle brain stimulation technique called tDCS, combined with computer-based cognitive training, can improve attention and working memory in 56 active-duty service members who had a mild traumatic brain injury at least 6 months earlier. Participants received either real tDCS or a sham (fake) stimulation while doing attention and memory exercises over several sessions. Researchers measured changes in brain activity, cognitive tests, and symptom reports to see if the combination helps.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with cognitive training
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a noninvasive, drug-free way to ease attention and memory problems after mild traumatic brain injury.
What could go wrong: This is a small pilot study (56 people) with no phase, so results are preliminary. The sham group also got cognitive training, so any added benefit of tDCS may be small or unclear.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

56 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Jan 2021

Finished

Jul 2025

Lead sponsor

A government agency

The lead sponsor is a US federal agency other than the NIH.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 to 55 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * (1) Have a remote history mild traumatic brain injury as defined by the VA/DoD clinical practice guidelines(The Management of Concussion/mTBI Working Group, 2016) that is \>/= 6 months, and report moderate severity neurocognitive symptoms related to attention, concentration, working memory, or memory based on NSI scores and self-report. * (2) Are between the ages of 18-55. * (3) Are stable on any medications for at least 2 weeks at the baseline visit (Visit #1). Exclusion Criteria: * (1) Have a history of seizures or epilepsy. * (2) Have a history of ECT or cortical energy exposure within the past 12 months, including participation in any other neuromodulation studies. * (3) Have current stimulant dependence. * (4) Have a diagnosis of intellectual disability or pervasive developmental disorder (i.e. premorbid IQ less than or equal to 70). * (5) Have any medical condition or treatment other than mild TBI (e.g. stroke, tumor, HIV, moderate-severe TBI), with significant neurological disorder or insults that, based on the Principal Investigator's judgement, would impact risk. * (6) Diagnosed with current active psychosis or mania. * (7) Have metallic cranial plates/screws or implanted device, * (8) Have eczema on scalp or other scalp lesions or skin disorders that may become irritated by stimulation. * (9) Pregnant individuals and individuals with ferromagnetic metal in their body that would prohibit them from being safe in the MRI will not be excluded from the overall study, but will be excluded from the optional MRI.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Brain Concussion Brain Injuries, Traumatic brain injury Cognition Disorders cognitive disorder Cognitive Dysfunction Memory Disorders traumatic brain injury

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Attention concentration difficulty Attention impaired Brain concussion Brain injuries Brain injuries, traumatic Brain trauma Memory impairment Mild cognitive impairment Mild traumatic brain injury Neurocognitive dysfunction

Zapping the brain to sharpen focus after concussion: new study

What the study statuses mean