Could a head zapper beat cancer fatigue? new study hopes to find out
NCT ID NCT07159100
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This pilot study tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called tDCS can reduce cancer-related fatigue and muscle weakness. 75 adults aged 40-80 who have finished cancer treatment will perform arm exercises with and without the stimulation. Researchers will measure endurance, strength, and brain activity to see if tDCS 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)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a drug-free way to reduce fatigue and improve strength in cancer survivors.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early pilot study with only 75 people, so results may not apply widely. The effect may be small or temporary, and the stimulation might cause mild discomfort.
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
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Early phase 1
The earliest testing in people: a first look at safety, in a very small group.
- Participants
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About 75 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Sep 2025
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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40 to 80 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide 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.
General Inclusion - All participants 1. Aged 40-80 2. Right Handed, as determined by the Edinburgh Inventory 21 3. Proficient in English 4. Must be available for the familiarization, and testing sessions General Inclusion - Cancer Patients only 1. Cancer (\>6 months post therapy) 2. Suffers from a subjective feeling of cancer related fatigue and weakness as assessed by the following question: "Do you suffer from symptoms of fatigue and weakness related to your cancer or cancer treatment?" 3. Have had cancer diagnosis and treatment in the past 4. Must have a stable physical/health condition for the past 3 months with no expected changes for the duration of the study General Exclusion - All participants 1. Neurological, psychiatric, musculoskeletal or other types of disorder not caused by cancer and/or cancer treatment, which may affect participants sensorimotor function and cognitive abilities 2. No consciousness to understand and sign informed consent voluntarily 3. History of alcohol, and illicit drug use 4. History of smoking within the last 5 years. General Exclusion - Cancer Patients 1. Radiation, surgery, chemo, or other cancer treatment therapies in the past 6 months prior to enrollment. Hormonal maintenance treatment is allowed. General Exclusion - Healthy Participants 1\. History of cancer or cancer treatment Exclusion criteria related to tDCS and TMS safety - All participants 1. History of epilepsy or unprovoked seizures 2. Family history of epilepsy (father, mother, children, siblings with diagnosis of epilepsy) 3. Active migraine headaches 4. Past or current history of treated tinnitus or severe hearing problems 5. Implanted medical devices (pacemakers, defibrillators, medical pump, implanted brain stimulator, aneurysm clip, carotid or cerebral stents, central venous catheter, non-removable hearing aids) 6. Damage to the skin on the scalp 7. History of mental illness (schizophrenia, anxiety, major depression, manic disorders) 8. Tattoo with metal based ink in the head or neck 9. Currently taking or withdrawing from any central nervous system active medication (stimulants, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, psychotropic medications). 10. Pregnant as determined by a Pregnancy test for non-menopausal (no menstruation for at least 1 year) women younger than 55 years (for TMS and fMRI only). Exclusion criteria related to MRI safety - All participants We will be using the Kessler Foundation RONIC MRI center screening form to screen participants for the MRI scan. Exclusion criteria includes: 1. Suffer from claustrophobia (fear of confined spaces) 2. Prior injury to the eye involving a metallic object or fragment (e.g., metallic slivers, shavings, foreign body, etc.)? 3. Presence or prior injury by a metallic object, or foreign body or metallic fragment (e.g., BB, bullet, shrapnel, etc.) 4. Currently or former metal worker (welder, machinist, etc.) 5. Implanted electrical devices (e.g. pacemakers, defibrillators or ICD) 6. Implanted stimulators or internal electrodes or wires (neurostimulator, brain stimulator, spinal cord, bone growth/bone fusion) 7. Aneurysm clips (metal clips on the wall of a large artery), metallic stent, shunt (spinal) 8. Metallic prostheses or implants (including metal pins and rods, plate, screw, surgical staples, clips or metallic sutures, joint replacement (hip, knee), cochlear or other otologic implant, eye, penile, heart valves, eyelid spring or wires, prosthetic limbs) 9. Dental implants, dentures or partial plates (regular filling, amalgam and crown are OK) 10. Insulin, medication or other infusion pumps 11. Radiation seeds or implants 12. Transdermal medication patch (Nitroglycerine, Nicotine) 13. IUD, diaphragm or pessary 14. Tissue expander (e.g. breast) 15. Body tattoos or permanent makeup (eyeliner, lip) if deemed unsafe in the MRI 16. Body piercing
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Kessler Foundation
West Orange, New Jersey, 07052, United States
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