An interventional study of Active Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and Sham tDCS in Musical Performance and Neuromodulation, sponsored by Centro Universitário Augusto Motta. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in Brazil. Open to participants aged 12 Years to 16 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-10-05.
Sponsored by Centro Universitário Augusto Motta · Not applicable, Interventional, and Other
This randomized, sham-controlled proof-of-concept study aims to investigate the safety, tolerability, and acute effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on musical performance in adolescent instrumentalists aged 12 to 16 years. Twenty-four participants will be randomly assigned to active or sham tDCS. Active stimulation will consist of 2.0 mA anodal tDCS applied for 30 minutes using 5 × 7 cm electrodes positioned over FCz and Fp2. Participants will perform the same previously learned instrumental musical piece or excerpt before stimulation, immediately after stimulation, and two hours after stimulation. Musical performances will be evaluated by blinded expert raters using a standardized performance rubric. Safety and tolerability will be monitored using a structured symptom checklist and predefined stopping criteria. Self-rated performance, nervousness, confidence, blinding, and protocol feasibility will also be explored.
This randomized parallel-group pilot study will evaluate the safety, tolerability, and acute effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in adolescent instrumentalists aged 12 to 16 years.
Twenty-four participants will be allocated in a 1:1 ratio to active or sham stimulation. Active tDCS will be delivered in a single session at 2.0 mA for 30 minutes using 5 × 7 cm electrodes, with the anode positioned over FCz and the cathode over Fp2. The sham condition will use the same electrode montage and will reproduce the initial sensations associated with stimulation without sustained current.
Participants will perform the same previously learned instrumental musical piece or excerpt at baseline, immediately after stimulation, and approximately two hours after stimulation. Performances will be audiovisually recorded, pseudonymized, randomized, and evaluated by blinded expert raters using a standardized music performance rubric. Safety and tolerability will be assessed throughout the session and during follow-up using a structured symptom checklist and predefined stopping criteria.
Participants will also provide brief 0-10 ratings of nervousness, confidence, and self-perceived musical performance. These measures are exploratory and are not intended for psychological diagnosis. The study will additionally assess the effectiveness of blinding and the feasibility of conducting a controlled tDCS protocol in adolescent instrumentalists.
Written informed consent from a legal guardian and written assent from the adolescent will be obtained before any study procedure. Participation is voluntary and will not influence grades, artistic selection, scholarships, or continued participation in any musical program.
Centro Universitário Augusto Motta is the lead sponsor of 39 studies on the registry; 14 are open to participants now.
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The criteria were revised on the registry on Oct 5, 2026. See what changed
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
A reason a treatment, test or procedure should not be given to a particular person, such as an allergy, another illness or a medicine they take.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Contraindication
A reason a treatment, test or procedure should not be given to a particular person, such as an allergy, another illness or a medicine they take.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Participants will receive a single session of active transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) at 2.0 mA for 30 minutes, using 5 × 7 cm electrodes positioned over FCz and Fp2.
Device: Active Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
Sham stimulation will reproduce the initial sensations of tDCS without sustained current delivery. Participants will receive a single session of sham transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) at 2.0 mA for 30 minutes, using 5 × 7 cm electrodes positioned over FCz and Fp2.
Device: Sham tDCS
Participants will receive a single session of active transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Anodal stimulation will be applied over FCz with the cathodal electrode positioned over Fp2 using 5 × 7 cm electrodes. Current will be gradually increased to 2.0 mA, maintained for 30 minutes, and gradually reduced at the end of stimulation.
Participants will receive a single session of sham transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Anodal stimulation will be applied over FCz with the cathodal electrode positioned over Fp2 using 5 × 7 cm electrodes. An initial ramp and brief period of stimulation will reproduce the initial sensations associated with tDCS, followed by automatic discontinuation of sustained current. Session will stop in 30 minutes.
Safety and Tolerability of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
Safety and tolerability will be assessed using a structured checklist documenting the presence and intensity of tingling/itching, warmth or burning sensation, skin redness, headache, dizziness, nausea, fatigue or drowsiness, visual symptoms, and other spontaneously reported symptoms. Stimulation interruptions, inability to complete the session, and adverse events requiring additional assessment or care will also be recorded. The number and proportion of participants experiencing each event and its severity will be described.
Time frame: Baseline (pre-stimulation); periprocedural (throughout the 30-minute stimulation session); immediately post-stimulation; 2 hours post-stimulation; and approximately 24 hours post-stimulation.
Change in Musical Performance Scores
Instrumental musical performances will be audiovisually recorded and evaluated by blinded independent expert raters using the Rubric for the Assessment of Music Performance Achievement. The rubric evaluates technical performance, interpretative quality, stylistic coherence, repertoire-related performance characteristics, and stage presence. Each domain is rated from 1 to 6, with higher scores indicating better musical performance. Changes over time will be compared between the active and sham groups.
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after intervention, and 2 hours after intervention
Change in Self-Reported Musical Performance
Description: Participants will rate their own instrumental musical performance on a numerical rating scale from 0 to 10, where 0 represents the worst possible performance that day and 10 represents the best possible performance that day. Higher scores indicate better self-perceived performance.
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after intervention, and 2 hours after intervention
Participant Perception of Intervention Allocation
Participants will report whether they believe they received active stimulation, sham stimulation, or whether they do not know which condition they received. Responses will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of participant blinding.
Time frame: At the end of the study session, approximately 2 hours after intervention
Plan to share: Undecided
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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Centro Universitário Augusto Motta