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Cross-modal Neuromodulation to Improve Balance and Cognition in Older Adults With Glaucoma: A Randomized Trial of Cerebellar Transcranial Electrical Stimulation

Status: Recruiting

Location: See location...

Intervention Type: Other

Study Type: Interventional

Study Phase: Not Applicable

SUMMARY

The goal of this clinical trial is to use different tES techniques to constantly stimulate the cerebellum in older glaucoma patients. The main questions aim to answer : 1. If the different types of tES targeting the cerebellum can modulate glaucoma patients' balance function and visual-cognitive function? 2. Which tES techniques among the two types can benefit most? Participants will be required to receive the stimulation 15 times (3 sessions, 5 continuous days/session, 1-week interval between each session), and complete the balance and visual-cognitive function outcome measurements before and after each session.

Eligibility

Participation Requirements

Sex: All

Minimum Age: 55

Healthy Volunteers: f

View:

• Age over 55 years old;

• Diagnosis of primary open-angle or normal-tension glaucoma with relative scotoma in both eyes;

• Humphrey Field Analyzer visual field loss (mean deviation of ≤- 6 dB) using the 24-2 testing protocol for both eyes;

• Best-corrected distance visual acuity of 6/12 (equivalent to 0.3 logMAR) or better;

• Cognitive functional score of 22 or above in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment -Hong Kong version (HK-MoCA).

• Only the right-handed population will be recruited (screening by the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory).

Locations

Other Locations

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Hong Kong Polytechnic University

RECRUITING

Kowloon

Contact Information

Primary

Yihong PENG, Phd student

22117438r@connect.polyu.hk

+852-53937970

Time Frame

Start Date: 2026-07-01

Estimated Completion Date: 2029-11-01

Participants

Target number of participants: 36

Treatments

Experimental: tDCS

The tDCS stimulation session will be performed over five consecutive days. The tDCS protocol used in this study will involve the application of a low direct current of 2 mA for 20 minutes using a Nurostym tES device (Neuro Device Group SA, Poland). It begins with a 30-second ramp-up period and employs two 5 cm × 5 cm electrodes that are housed in saline-soaked sponges. The anode and the cathode electrodes will be placed bilaterally over the cerebellum (1 cm below the inion of the occipital bone) and the right shoulder, respectively. This electrode montage is based on previous studies and is designed to target cerebellar regions implicated in balance and motor control.

Experimental: tACS

The tACS stimulation session will be five consecutive days. tACS protocol used in the study will be delivered using the Neurostym tES device (Neuro Device Group SA, Poland) with two 5 × 5 cm electrodes. The anode and the cathode electrodes will be placed bilaterally over the cerebellum (1 cm below the inion of the occipital bone) and the right shoulder, respectively. The tACS will be administered at a current of 2 mA with a stimulation frequency of 50 Hz. There will be a 30-second ramp-up and ramp-down period to minimize discomfort at the onset and offset of stimulation.

Sham_comparator: Sham

The sham protocol will mimic the same electrode placement as the other experimental group setting to maintain blinding.~During sham stimulation, the stimulator will deliver 2 mA current for the first 30 seconds, after which the current will be turned off for the remainder of the session. To further enhance blinding, the current will be reactivated at 2 mA for the final 30 seconds of the stimulation and then gradually taper off thereafter. The total duration of the sham stimulation will match that of the active stimulation protocols (20 minutes). Each stimulation session will be five consecutive days.

Related Therapeutic Areas

Ocular Hypertension (OHT)

Glaucoma

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