Medical Information Only. Always consult your healthcare provider before enrolling in any clinical trial.
NCT04278560 · ClinicalTrials.gov registry record · NA
Modulating Brain Activity to Improve Goal-directed Physical Activity in Older Adults
A NA study, sponsored by Hebrew SeniorLife.
- Completed
- Registry status
- NA
- Development phase
- 34
- Enrollment target
NCT04278560: Completed NA study, sponsored by Hebrew SeniorLife.
NCT04278560 is a NA study that has completed, run by Hebrew SeniorLife. The registered enrollment target is 34 participants, below the 1,404-participant average among 58,714 other NA trials with a reported enrollment target (98% lower). According to ClinicalTrials.gov, the official US trial registry.
The verdict
NCT04278560, a NA study, has completed, sponsored by Hebrew SeniorLife.
- COMPLETED
- Registry status
- NA
- Development phase
- 34 participants
- Enrollment target
Study Summary
Although the majority of older adults are aware of the compelling evidence that regular exercise is critical to the maintenance of health into old age, most do not meet recommendations for daily exercise. This lack of engagement in 'goal-directed' physical activity stems from numerous interrelated factors including lack of motivation, depressed mood, and cognitive "executive" impairments that diminish one's ability to regulate behavior over time. Intriguingly, each of these factors has been linked to the function of brain networks that include the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC). Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive and safe means of modulating the excitability of specific brain regions and their connected neural networks. tDCS designed to facilitate the excitability of the left dlPFC has been shown to improve motivation, mood, and multiple aspects of executive function in healthy adults. The investigators thus hypothesize that tDCS holds promise to increase goal-directed physical activity in older adults. This project aims to conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial on the feasibility and effects of a 2-week, 10-session tDCS intervention targeting the left dlPFC, combined with behavioral intervention aimed at increases daily physical activity, on physical activity over a two-month follow-up period, in relatively sedentary older adults without overt illness or disease.
Primary Outcome
Absolute change in averaged daily step counts from two-week baseline (first two weeks, week 1-2). The specific periods are 1) absolute change in averaged daily step counts in week 3 and 4 from baseline, 2) absolute change in averaged daily step counts at week 5 and 6, from baseline, 3) absolute change in averaged daily step counts in week 7 and 8 from baseline, and 4) absolute change in averaged daily step counts in week 9 and 10 from baseline.
Interventions
- DEVICE Sham stimulation
- DEVICE Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
- BEHAVIORAL Behavioral intervention to increase physical activity
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 34 participants |
| Start Date | 2020-02-12 |
| Est. Completion | 2022-11-03 |
| Phase | NA |
What the finished NCT04278560 record still lists
NCT04278560 is an interventional study that assigns participants to a tested intervention. The registry caps enrollment at 34 participants, a relatively small participant target, below the 1,404-participant average among 58,714 other NA trials with a reported enrollment target (98% lower).
The record links to 0 conditions, and to 3 interventions - of which Sham stimulation is the first listed.
NCT04278560 does not publish any study locations in the registry export this page uses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT04278560 about?
NCT04278560 is a clinical study titled "Modulating Brain Activity to Improve Goal-directed Physical Activity in Older Adults". Although the majority of older adults are aware of the compelling evidence that regular exercise is critical to the maintenance of health into old age, most do not meet recommendations for daily exercise. This lack of engagement in 'goal-directed' physical activity stems from numerous interrelated f...
What is the current status of trial NCT04278560?
This trial is currently completed. It is a NA study. The enrollment target is 34 participants. The study started on 2020-02-12. Estimated completion is 2022-11-03.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT04278560?
The interventions under investigation include: Sham stimulation (DEVICE), Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) (DEVICE), Behavioral intervention to increase physical activity (BEHAVIORAL).
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT04278560?
This trial is sponsored by Hebrew SeniorLife, which has 32 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Learn More About Clinical Trials
How this trial's enrollment target compares
Where NCT04278560's enrollment target sits among peer trials
34 1570th of 2000 higher than 427 of 2,000 other NA trials
participants (enrollment target), bucketed by value
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more other NA trials. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source ClinicalTrials.gov registry export · 2026-08-08
Nationwide trials with similar profiles
Cross-condition peers matched on enrollment target and registry start date, not the same-condition list above.
Similar enrollment target
- NCT02897063 · 34 participants · Phase 1
Effects of Midodrine and Droxidopa on Splanchnic Capacitance in Autonomic Failure
- NCT03906617 · 34 participants · Phase 4
Bupivacaine/Epinephrine +Dexamethasone vs. Liposomal Bupivacaine
- NCT03992378 · 34 participants · NA
Neuromodulation to Regulate Inflammation and Autonomic Imbalance in Sepsis
- NCT04047849 · 34 participants · Phase 4
Latency Antibiotics in Previable PPROM, 18 0/7- 22 6/7 WGA
Similar registry start date
- NCT05962346 · started 2026-12 · NA
Fetal Endoscopic Tracheal Occlusion for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
- NCT07125183 · started 2026-12 · Phase 2
Study on Efficacy and Tolerability of Weekly Doxorubicin in Elderly Patients With Advanced or Metastatic Leiomyosarcoma
- NCT07292298 · started 2026-11 · Phase 2
Phase 2 Single-Arm Rectal Cancer Brachytherapy for Patients With Low-Lying Residual Adenocarcinoma After Total Neoadjuvant Therapy to Improve Organ Preservation Rates
- NCT04263285 · started 2026-10 · NA
Treatment of Depression Post-SCI