Effects of Neurofeedback Training and tRNS on Attentional Deficits in Patients With Acquired Brain Injury

Description

The goal of this study is to investigate new neuromodulation therapies for attention deficits following acquired brain injury. Brain damage can affect various domains, including motor and cognitive functions. However, cognitive deficits have many consequences on the functionality and independence of patients, and attention is an essential requirement for most of daily activities. After brain damage, cognitive rehabilitation is generally the first treatment option for attention deficits. Some studies have shown that cognitive rehabilitation is sometimes not very effective.For this reason, new therapies such as neuromodulation techniques are being investigated. Neurofeedback is a non-invasive neuromodulation therapy involving a type of computer-based training and learning, and some studies have shown that it is a promising tool to treat cognitive deficits in patients with brain injuries. Transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) is also used to modulate spontaneous brain activity. In the present study, the investigators will evaluate the effects of tES combined with neurofeedback as a therapy for attentional deficits after brain injury.

Interventions

• verum tRNS + Neurofeedback (Device)
  The neuromodulation intervention will have the following characteristics: each session will last 1 hour; 10 minutes of tRNS will precede 20 minutes of NF, with approximately 20 minutes for setting up the system and measuring impedances until the NF signal reaches optimal quality, and 10 minutes for removing the equipment. The tRNS will deliver a biphasic sinusoidal random noise current (tRNS) with an amplitude of 2 mA within the 16-25 Hz frequency range, using electrodes placed over F3 and F4. To administer tES, we will use a portable device from the Neurocare Group, which produces neuromodulation devices for research and clinical applications and has CE approval (Neurocare DC-STIMULATOR MOBILE). The NF will reinforce the 16-25 Hz frequency range and will consist of an EEG-based visual task, i.e., a video that decreases or increases in size according to the β levels detected at Fz. For NF, we will use a device from Thought Technology, the ProComp 2, together with Biograph Infinity
• sham tRNS + Neurofeedback (Device)
  The intervention will have the following characteristics: each session will last 1 hour; 10 minutes of tRNS will precede 20 minutes of NF, with approximately 20 minutes for setting up the system and measuring impedances until the NF signal reaches optimal quality, and 10 minutes for removing the equipment. The sham tRNS will deliver a biphasic sinusoidal random noise current (tRNS) with for 30 seconds and then will automatically turn off. To administer tES, we will use a portable device from the Neurocare Group, which produces neuromodulation devices for research and clinical applications and has CE approval (Neurocare DC-STIMULATOR MOBILE). The NF will reinforce the 16-25 Hz frequency range and will consist of an EEG-based visual task, i.e., a video that decreases or increases in size according to the β levels detected at Fz. For NF, we will use a device from Thought Technology, the ProComp 2, together with Biograph Infinity

Eligibility criteria

Conditions

Locations

• Hospitales Vithas — Valencia, Valencia, Spain