Abstract Details

Title tDCS Plus Cognitive Training Improves Reaction-Time-Based Processing Speed in MS: Secondary Outcomes From a Randomized Controlled Trial

Topic Multiple Sclerosis

Presentation(s) P9 - Poster Session 9 (5:00 PM-6:00 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 19-004

Objective To assess whether home-based tDCS + aCT improves reaction-time-based processing speed, measured via the Cogstate battery.

Background Processing speed deficits are among the earliest and most prevalent cognitive impairments in multiple sclerosis (MS). While prior work showed global cognitive benefits of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) paired with online adaptive cognitive training (aCT), its impact on reaction-time-based processing speed has not been established.

Design/Methods In a previously reported sham-controlled RCT (NCT03838770), participants with MS and fatigue were randomized to receive 30 days (six weeks) of remotely supervised sessions of 20 min active (2.0 mA) or sham tDCS targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, each paired with aCT delivered using Posit Science’s BrainHQ program. Simple, choice, and one-back working memory reaction time measures (Cogstate Detection [DET], Identification [IDN], and One Back [ONB] tasks) were administered at baseline and post treatment (active: n=54; sham: n=48). Paired samples t-tests and effect sizes were used to assess within- and between-group differences.

Results The active tDCS + aCT group showed significant improvements on DET (0.32 ± 0.83, p = .006) and ONB (0.29 ± 0.85, p = .013), with trends on IDN (p = .068) and ONB accuracy (p = .083). There were no significant changes in the group receiving sham tDCS. This indicates a specific benefit of active stimulation for reaction-time-based cognitive processing speed.

Conclusions Active tDCS combined with cognitive training led to moderate improvements in reaction-time-based processing speed. These findings support the use of remotely delivered tDCS + aCT to address slowed processing speed in MS, a core contributor to cognitive dysfunction.

Authors/Disclosures
Shayna Pehel PRESENTER	Ms. Pehel has nothing to disclose.
Caitlin E. Rogers	Miss Rogers has nothing to disclose.
Leila Simani, PhD	Dr. Simani has nothing to disclose.
Pamela Best	Ms. Best has nothing to disclose.
Michael Shaw, PhD	Dr. Shaw has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Soterix Medical.
Giuseppina Pilloni, PhD (NYU Grossman School of Medicine)	Dr. Pilloni has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Ceragem.
Leigh E. Charvet, PhD (NYU Langone)	Dr. Charvet has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Johnson & Johnson. Dr. Charvet has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Springer Healthcare. Dr. Charvet has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for YBrain. Dr. Charvet has stock in Johnson&Johnson.

��ɫ��

��ɫ��