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. 2022 Aug 26;11(8):e36294.
doi: 10.2196/36294.

Association of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Neurofeedback With Declarative Memory and Cerebral Arterial Flow in University Students: Protocol for a Double-blind Randomized Controlled Study

Leandro H Grecco #  1   2   3 , Giuliano R Gonçalves  2   4 , Bárbara Neiva Perri  2 , Breno Alexander Bispo  2 , Isabella Favilla Jorge Grandin  2 , Paula Valentina Nunes Dias Gomes  2 , André Alexandre Bocchi  2 , Kennedy Martinez Oliveira  5 , Diogo Correa Maldonado  1 , Marcelo Cavenaghi Pereira da Silva #  1   3
Affiliations

Association of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Neurofeedback With Declarative Memory and Cerebral Arterial Flow in University Students: Protocol for a Double-blind Randomized Controlled Study

Leandro H Grecco et al. JMIR Res Protoc. .

Abstract

Background: The performance of a task depends on ongoing brain activity, which can be influenced by attention, excitement, or motivation. Scientific studies have confirmed that mindfulness leads to better performance, health, and well-being. However, these cognitive efficiency modulating factors are nonspecific, can be difficult to control, and are not suitable to specifically facilitate neural processing.

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation associated with neurofeedback on declarative memory and cerebral blood flow in university students.

Methods: In this study, we will use transcranial direct current stimulation, a low-cost physical resource that is easy to apply, has few adverse effects, and is associated with a neurofeedback resource. This, in turn, has been shown to be a training program capable of improving working memory function.

Results: Participants will be recruited between July 2022 and December 2022. This study is expected to conclude in July 2023.

Conclusions: This study will provide preliminary results on the benefits of using the direct current neurostimulation and neurofeedback tools on the participants being analyzed.

Trial registration: Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry RBR-7zs8b5; https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-7zs8b5.

International registered report identifier (irrid): PRR1-10.2196/36294.

Keywords: Doppler ultrasonography; RCT; TDCS; arterial flow; blood flow; brain; brain stimulation; cerebral; cerebrum; college; controlled trial; declarative memory; double-blind; electrical stimulation; graduate; memory; neurofeedback; neurofeedback stimulation; neurology; postsecondary; randomized controlled trial; student; transcranial; transcranial direct current stimulation; undergraduate; university.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowchart of study design.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Transcranial direct current stimulation device.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Electroencephalography device and its Neurosky driver software.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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