An interventional study of Tai Chi and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Self-Reported Memory Concerns, sponsored by Shanghai University of Sport. Completed at 2 sites in China. Open to participants aged 65 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-10-07.
Sponsored by Shanghai University of Sport · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
This randomized clinical trial evaluated the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with Tai Chi on dual-task mobility, cognitive function, and physical function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment or self-reported memory concerns. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either Tai Chi combined with tDCS or Tai Chi alone for 8 weeks. Assessments were conducted at baseline and at Weeks 8, 20, and 32. Outcome measures included dual-task Timed Up and Go (DT-TUG) time, single-task TUG, dual-task cost, Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Basic (MoCA-B), Digit Span Test, balance, gait, lower-extremity function, health-related quality of life, sleep quality, anxiety, and depressive symptoms.
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Participants received an 8-week supervised Tai Chi program combined with 20 sessions of left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex-targeted transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Each tDCS session lasted 20 minutes and was administered immediately before Tai Chi practice.
Behavioral: Tai Chi · Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
Participants received the same 8-week supervised Tai Chi program without tDCS.
Behavioral: Tai Chi
An 8-week supervised Tai Chi program consisting of 40 planned sessions (5 sessions per week, 40 minutes per session). Each session included a 5-minute warm-up, 30 minutes of Tai Chi practice, and a 5-minute cool-down. The curriculum was adapted from a tailored Tai Ji Quan protocol based on the standardized 24-form Yang-style sequence and included eight forms practiced on both sides when applicable.
Model-guided transcranial direct current stimulation targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was delivered using a Starstim system (Neuroelectrics, Barcelona, Spain) with a four-electrode Ag/AgCl gel montage. Twenty stimulation sessions were planned over 8 weeks. Each session lasted 20 minutes and was administered immediately before Tai Chi practice. The montage consisted of an anodal electrode at F3 (+1500 μA) and cathodal return electrodes at AF4 (-545 μA), FC5 (-523 μA), and FC1 (-432 μA). The current delivered through any single electrode did not exceed 1.5 mA, and the total injected current remained below 4 mA. Each session included 59-second ramp-up and ramp-down periods.
Change From Baseline in Dual-Task Timed Up and Go (DT-TUG) Time
Dual-task mobility was assessed using the Timed Up and Go test performed while simultaneously completing serial subtraction by 3 from a three-digit number. DT-TUG time was recorded in seconds and averaged across three trials. Shorter times indicate better dual-task mobility. Changes from baseline were assessed at Weeks 8, 20, and 32.
Time frame: Baseline to Weeks 8, 20, and 32
Change From Baseline in Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Basic (MoCA-B) Total Score
Global cognitive function was assessed using the Chinese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Basic (MoCA-B). Total scores range from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating better global cognitive function. Change from baseline in MoCA-B total score was evaluated at each post-intervention assessment.
Time frame: Baseline to Weeks 8, 20, and 32
Change From Baseline in Dual-Task Cost to Timed Up and Go Time
Dual-task cost (DTC) to TUG time was calculated as \[(dual-task TUG time - single-task TUG time) / single-task TUG time\] × 100 and expressed as a percentage. Lower values indicate a smaller performance cost associated with performing the cognitive task during mobility.
Time frame: Baseline to Weeks 8, 20, and 32
Change From Baseline in Digit Span Test-Forward Score
Attention and short-term memory were assessed using the Digit Span Test-Forward. Higher scores indicate better performance.
Time frame: Baseline to Weeks 8, 20, and 32
Change From Baseline in Digit Span Test-Backward Score
Working memory was assessed using the Digit Span Test-Backward. Higher scores indicate better performance.
Time frame: Baseline to Weeks 8, 20, and 32
Change From Baseline in Single-Task Timed Up and Go (ST-TUG) Time
Single-task functional mobility was assessed using the Timed Up and Go test. Participants stood from a chair, walked 3 m, turned, walked back, and sat down at their usual safe pace. TUG time was recorded in seconds and averaged across three trials. Shorter times indicate better mobility.
Time frame: Baseline to Weeks 8, 20, and 32
Change From Baseline in Sit-to-Stand Duration During DT-TUG
The sit-to-stand phase of the DT-TUG was identified from video recordings using predefined movement-event criteria. Phase duration was measured in seconds and averaged across three trials. Shorter durations indicate faster performance of the sit-to-stand phase.
Time frame: Baseline to Weeks 8, 20, and 32
Change From Baseline in Straight-Walking Duration During DT-TUG
Straight-walking duration during the DT-TUG was derived from video recordings and defined as the sum of the outbound and return walking times. Phase duration was measured in seconds and averaged across three trials. Shorter durations indicate faster straight-walking performance.
Time frame: Baseline to Weeks 8, 20, and 32
Change From Baseline in Turning Duration During DT-TUG
Turning duration during the DT-TUG was derived from video recordings and defined as the duration of the 180° turn around the midpoint marker. Phase duration was measured in seconds and averaged across three trials. Shorter durations indicate faster turning performance.
Time frame: Baseline to Weeks 8, 20, and 32
Change From Baseline in Turn-to-Sit Duration During DT-TUG
Turn-to-sit duration during the DT-TUG was derived from video recordings and defined as the interval from initiation of the final chair-facing turn to completion of sitting. Phase duration was measured in seconds and averaged across three trials. Shorter durations indicate faster turn-to-sit performance.
Time frame: Baseline to Weeks 8, 20, and 32
Change From Baseline in 30-Second Chair Stand Test (30CST) Performance
Lower-extremity functional strength was assessed using the 30-Second Chair Stand Test. Participants were instructed to complete as many full sit-to-stand repetitions as possible within 30 seconds. The total number of completed repetitions was recorded, with higher values indicating better lower-extremity functional performance.
Time frame: Baseline to Weeks 8, 20, and 32
Change From Baseline in Berg Balance Scale (BBS) Score
Functional balance was assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), which consists of 14 functional balance tasks. Total scores range from 0 to 56, with higher scores indicating better balance function.
Time frame: Baseline to Weeks 8, 20, and 32
Change From Baseline in Functional Reach Test (FRT) Distance
Dynamic balance was assessed using the Functional Reach Test. Participants were instructed to reach forward as far as possible while maintaining a fixed base of support. The maximal forward reach distance was recorded, with greater distances indicating better functional balance.
Time frame: Baseline to Weeks 8, 20, and 32
Change From Baseline in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) Global Score
Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The global score ranges from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating poorer sleep quality.
Time frame: Baseline to Weeks 8, 20, and 32
Change From Baseline in Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI-20) Score
Anxiety symptoms were assessed using the 20-item Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI-20). Higher total scores indicate greater severity of anxiety symptoms.
Time frame: Baseline to Weeks 8, 20, and 32
Change From Baseline in 30-Item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-30) Score
Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 30-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-30). Higher total scores indicate greater severity of depressive symptoms.
Time frame: Baseline to Weeks 8, 20, and 32
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Ran from Dec 2024 to primary completion in Feb 2025, 2 months.
Of 1,439 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Cognitive Dysfunction, half reached primary completion within 27 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 12 and three quarters within 51. This study's 2 months is below that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 1,512 studies reached it within 26 months; a quarter within 12 and three quarters within 50.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
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 ↗
This study is completed, as verified in Oct 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Shanghai University of Sport