Neuromodulation as a Therapeutic Intervention to Improve Cancer Related Fatigue and Weakness

Kessler Foundation

Summary

This pilot study investigates the effectiveness of non-invasive brain stimulation (tDCS) in alleviating cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and muscle weakness. Using a randomized, double-blind crossover design, participants perform fatiguing muscle tasks with and without tDCS, and outcomes include task endurance, maximal voluntary contraction force, and neuromuscular markers. Neural mechanisms will be assessed via EEG, TMS, and MRI.

Eligibility

Age range: 40–80 years
Sex: All
Healthy volunteers: Yes

Detailed criteria

General Inclusion - All participants 1. Aged 40-80 2. Right Handed, as determined by the Edinburgh Inventory 21 3. Proficient in English 4. Must be available for the familiarization, and testing sessions General Inclusion - Cancer Patients only 1. Cancer (\>6 months post therapy) 2. Suffers from a subjective feeling of cancer related fatigue and weakness as assessed by the following question: "Do you suffer from symptoms of fatigue and weakness related to your cancer or cancer treatment?" 3. Have had cancer diagnosis and treatment in the past 4. Must have a stable physical/health condition…

Interventions

Device
Active tDCS + elbow flexion exercise
Participants will receive anodal tDCS targeting motor-related cortical areas using either traditional sponge-based or high-definition (HD)-tDCS configurations. The intervention is delivered at 1.5-2.0 mA for 20-30 minutes, either before or during a sustained submaximal isometric contraction task designed to induce fatigue. tDCS will be administered in a counterbalanced crossover design, where each participant completes both active stimulation and sham stimulation conditions in separate sessions spaced at least one week apart. Sham stimulation mimics the sensory effects of active tDCS (30-second ramp-up and down) without delivering sustained current. The intervention is unique as the target population is cancer survivors with persistent fatigue \>6 months post-treatment. Also, the tDCS is combined with neurophysiological assessments, including EMG, TMS, EEG, and MRI, to provide neurophysiological evidence of acute effects.
Drug
Sham tDCS + elbow flexion exercise
Participants will receive anodal tDCS targeting motor-related cortical areas using either traditional sponge-based or high-definition (HD)-tDCS configurations. The intervention is delivered at 1.5-2.0 mA for 30 seconds to mimic the sensation of active tDCS (20 minutes long), either before or during a sustained submaximal isometric contraction task designed to induce fatigue. tDCS will be administered in a counterbalanced crossover design, where each participant completes both active stimulation and sham stimulation conditions in separate sessions spaced at least one week apart. Sham stimulation mimics the sensory effects of active tDCS (30-second ramp-up and down) without delivering sustained current.

Location

Kessler Foundation
West Orange, New Jersey