tDCS for the Management of Multiple Sclerosis Related Fatigue
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for the Management of Multiple Sclerosis Related Fatigue
What it found
A paper reports the results; we have not read it yet. See Papers below.
What was tested
Treatment tested
- Active tDCS
Placebo
- sham tDCS
What it measured
Main measures
change from baseline in the self-reported Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Fatigue instrument.
7 Days post end of Treatment
FatigueQuality of life (reported by participants)
Who could take part
MS (type not specified) · 18 to 70
Show the full criteria
Inclusion criteria
* Definite MS diagnosis, all subtypes * Fatigue Severity Scale score of 36 or greater * Score of 7.5 or less on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) (with caregiver proxy required for those with scores of 7.5 or greater) * Ability to understand the informed consent process and provide consent to participate in the study
Exclusion criteria
* Primary neurologic, psychiatric or other medical disorder other than MS * History of seizures or seizure disorder * History of head trauma or medical device in head or neck * Clinically significant abnormality on EKG * Current symptomatic treatment for fatigue * Symbol Digit Modalities Test or SDMT score≥3.0 SD from published norms * WRAT-4 reading level below average (\<85) (estimated general intellectual function) * Beck Depression Inventory-Fast Screen (BDI- FS) score ≥10 * Current chronic headaches or migraines * Skin disorder/sensitive near stimulation locations
As registered. Criteria can change, so ask the trial team or your neurologist.
About this trial
In the sponsor's words
This is a pragmatic clinical trial that aims to determine the effect of tDCS on symptomatic fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients. This is a randomized, blinded, sham-controlled study design to determine the effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on MS participants to reduce feelings of fatigue.120 participants with MS and clinically-significant fatigue (as defined by a score of >36 on the Fatigue Severity Scale) will be recruited to participate in either an active or sham treatment condition.
Papers
Results
Home-based transcranial direct current stimulation paired with cognitive training to reduce fatigue in multiple sclerosis.Sci Rep · 2025
Results
Charvet L, Goldberg J, Li X, Best P, Shaw M, Ryerson LZ, Gutman J, Bikson M, Pilloni G, Krupp L. Enhanced cognitive outcomes with telehealth-based tDCS in multiple sclerosis: Results from a sham-controlled RCT. Mult Scler J Exp Transl Clin. 2025 Jul 28;11(3):20552173251356704. doi: 10.1177/20552173251356704. eCollection 2025 Jul-Sep.
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History
Started
Apr 2019
Main results due
Jun 2021
Finished
Jun 2021