Testing home brain stimulation for thinking problems after breast cancer
Tests home brain stimulation in breast cancer survivors with thinking problems, some with obesity.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: tDCS Intervention in Breast Cancer Survivors With and Without Obesity Reporting Cognitive Impairment
Key facts
- Where
- Helsinki, FinlandSee the site
Where in Finland
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, University of HelsinkiHelsinki, FinlandTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- University of Helsinki
- Trial code
- NCT07112521
- Record updated
- 2 September 2025
- Original description
The goal of this intervention is to investigate whether transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) can alleviate Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment (CRCI) in breast cancer survivors, as measured by changes in brain structures and cognitive performance. To assess the efficacy of tDCS, the investigators will compare outcomes between participants receiving active stimulation and those receiving sham stimulation (a placebo condition where participants believe they are receiving stimulation, but are not).Read full original descriptionShow less
Evaluating the Efficacy of Home-Based tDCS for Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment and Its Moderation by Obesity: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.
The goal of this intervention is to investigate whether transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) can alleviate Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment (CRCI) in breast cancer survivors, as measured by changes in brain structures and cognitive performance. To assess the efficacy of tDCS, the investigators will compare outcomes between participants receiving active stimulation and those receiving sham stimulation (a placebo condition where participants believe they are receiving stimulation, but are not).
Participants will:
* Undergo a baseline MRI session * Receive either active or sham tDCS for six weeks * Undergo a follow-up MRI session * Complete cognitive tests and respond to psychosocial questionnaires before, during, and after the tDCS intervention
Inclusion: Female; Over 18 years old; Diagnosed with primary adult-onset breast cancer within the last 5 years; Completed all active cancer treatments at least 3 months prior to study participation; Capable of fulfilling study requirements, including having internet access; Fluent in either Finnish or English; Have normal or corrected vision and hearing; Right-handed (based on the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory score; Oldfield, 1971).
Exclusion: Have received primary cancer treatment (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, or surgery) within the last 3 months; Have a history of childhood-onset cancer; Diagnosed with dementia, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, or - Parkinson's disease; Have a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack; Have any of the following medical implants or devices: cardiac implantable electronic devices, metallic intraocular foreign bodies, neurostimulation systems, cochlear/ear implants, drug infusion pumps, catheters with metal components, metallic fragments (e.g., bullets), cerebral aneurysm clips, magnetic dental implants, tissue expanders, artificial limbs, non-removable piercings, or face tattoos; Present with acute eczema on the scalp; Have experienced unconsciousness for more than five minutes due to a head/brain injury within the last 10 years; Suffer from claustrophobia; Are pregnant or breastfeeding; Weight exceeding 250 kg (the MRI table weight limit) or they are unable to fit within the 70 cm diameter bore of the MRI machine.