Clinical trial NCT06958081: tDCS and Musical Performance in Young Orchestra Musicians
Official title: Acute Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Technical, Expressive, and Scenic Aspects of Musical Performance in Young Orchestra Instrumentalists: A Proof-of-Concept Study
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Phase: NA
Conditions: Musical Performance
Neuromodulation
Performance Anxiety
Keywords: tDCS
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
Music Performance
Motor Control
Self-Efficacy
Anxiety
Lead sponsor: Centro Universitário Augusto Motta
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2025-05-06
Enrollment: 24
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 30
Standard ages: ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Intervention model description: Participants will be randomly assigned to either an active tDCS group or a sham stimulation group.
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can improve the technical, expressive, and stage aspects of musical performance in young orchestra musicians aged 18 to 30 years. The main questions it aims to answer are:

* Does active tDCS improve musical performance compared to sham stimulation?
* Does active tDCS reduce music performance anxiety and increase musical self-efficacy? Researchers will compare the active tDCS group to the sham stimulation group to see if active stimulation has positive effects on musical performance and psychological factors.

Participants will:

* Receive either active or sham tDCS stimulation
* Perform a musical piece before and after stimulation
* Complete questionnaires about anxiety and musical self-confidence

Detailed description: This randomized pilot study aims to investigate the acute effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the technical, expressive, and stage aspects of musical performance in young orchestra instrumentalists.

A total of 24 musicians, aged 18 to 30 years, with at least three years of orchestral experience, will be randomly assigned to either an active tDCS group or a sham stimulation group. The stimulation will target the supplementary motor area (SMA) using a 2.0 mA anodal current for 30 minutes, with the cathode placed over Fp2. The sham group will undergo the same electrode placement, but the current will be turned off after 30 seconds.

The study will adopt a double-blind design, where neither participants, care providers, investigators, nor outcome assessors will know the group allocations. Each participant will perform a standardized musical piece before and after the intervention, and after a 2-hour interval post-intervention. Performances will be recorded and evaluated by independent expert judges using the Rubric for the Assessment of Music Performance Achievement.

Psychometric evaluations will be conducted using the Mazzarolo Music Performance Anxiety Scale (M-MPAS) and the General Musical Self-Efficacy Scale. Self-assessments of performance and sensations during stimulation will also be collected. Data analysis will compare changes in musical performance, anxiety, and self-efficacy between groups.

This study seeks to provide preliminary evidence on the potential of tDCS to enhance musical performance and psychological factors such as performance anxiety and self-confidence among young musicians. Safety and feasibility of the intervention will also be monitored throughout the study.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Musicians aged 18 to 30 years.
* Minimum of 3 years of orchestral performance experience.
* Active participation in a stable orchestra or ensemble.
* No history of neurological or psychiatric disorders.
* Not currently using psychotropic medications or recreational drugs.
* Willingness to participate in all study sessions.
* Signed informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Presence of metallic implants in the head (e.g., cranial pins, aneurysm clips).
* Presence of implanted electronic devices (e.g., pacemaker).
* History of epilepsy or seizures.
* Prior experience with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS).
* Scalp dermatitis or lesions at the electrode placement sites.
* Pregnancy.

Primary outcomes:
measure: Change in Musical Performance Scores (Rubric for the Assessment of Music Performance Achievement)
timeFrame: Baseline, immediately after intervention, and 2 hours after intervention
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Change in Self-Reported Musical Performance Score (0-10 scale)
timeFrame: Baseline, immediately after intervention, and 2 hours after intervention
measure: Music Performance Anxiety (Mazzarolo Music Performance Anxiety Scale - M-MPAS)
timeFrame: Baseline
measure: Musical Self-Efficacy (General Musical Self-Efficacy Scale)
timeFrame: Baseline
measure: Perception of Intervention Received (Active or Sham)
timeFrame: Immediately after intervention
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Rio de Janeiro
country: Brazil
facility: Centro Universitário Augusto Motta (UNISUAM)
state: RJ
Study officials:
affiliation: Neuromodulação em Foco
name: Ricardo Galhardoni, Ph.D
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
affiliation: Centro Universitário Augusto Motta
name: Renato Santos de Almeida, Ph.D
role: STUDY_CHAIR
affiliation: Centro Universitário Augusto Motta
name: Débora Cristina Lima da Silva, Ph.D
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
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