Effects of Transcranial Temporal Interference Stimulation on Cognitive Function in Mild Cognitive Impairment (TIS-MCI)

April 4, 2026 updated by: Weijie Fu, Ph.D., Shanghai University of Sport

The Effects of Transcranial Temporal Interferential Electrical Stimulation on Cognitive Function, Dual-Task Performance and Neuroplasticity in Individuals With Mild Cognitive Impairment

To explore the effects of transcranial temporal interference stimulation (tTIS) on cognitive function and dual-task walking performance, as well as its underlying neuroimaging mechanisms, in individuals with mild cognitive impairment.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Enrolling by invitation

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

This is a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, crossover trial. Participants aged 60-80 years with mild cognitive impairment (MoCA < 26, CDR = 0.5) will receive a single 20-minute session of individualized 5 Hz transcranial temporal interference stimulation (tTIS) targeting the left hippocampus (2 mA, 2000/2005 Hz carriers) and a sham session in random order, with a 7-day washout period. The primary outcomes are change in MoCA score, dual-task gait/balance cost, and working memory performance. Secondary outcomes include change in brain function and brain structure. The study aims to enroll 40 participants. Safety and tolerability will be assessed via structured questionnaires.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
40

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • China
    • Shanghai Municipality
      • Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China, 200438
        • Shanghai University of Sport

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age 60-80 years
  • Community-dwelling
  • Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score < 26
  • Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) score = 0.5
  • Activities of Daily Living (ADL) score < 26 (largely intact daily function)
  • Does not meet criteria for dementia diagnosis (based on DSM-5 or NIA-AA criteria)
  • No contraindications for MRI examination (no metallic implants, no claustrophobia)
  • Able to provide written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Neurological conditions that may cause cognitive decline (e.g., cerebrovascular disease, encephalitis, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease)
  • Severe visual, auditory, or language impairments preventing completion of neuropsychological assessments
  • Severe depression (Geriatric Depression Scale > 10) or other major psychiatric disorders
  • History of seizures or epilepsy
  • Previous deep brain stimulation or electroconvulsive therapy within 6 months
  • Alcohol or substance dependence
  • Concurrent participation in another interventional clinical trial
  • Contraindications for non-invasive brain stimulation: electronic or ferromagnetic implants, non-MRI compatible metal implants, history of seizures, pregnancy

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
  • Masking: Quadruple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Active TIS followed by Placebo TIS
Participants first receive single-session active TIS targeting the hippocampus for approx. 20 minutes. Following a washout period, they receive placebo (sham) TIS.
Device: Active Temporal Interference Stimulation (TIS)
Active tTIS delivered via surface electrodes targeting the hippocampus. Parameters: 2 mA baseline-to-peak intensity, 20-minute duration with 30-second ramp-up and ramp-down. The stimulation protocol is individualized based on each participant's T1-weighted structural MRI using finite element modeling to optimize electric field distribution to the hippocampal target.
Device: Placebo / Sham TIS
Sham stimulation delivered using the same electrode placement and parameters as active stimulation. To mimic the sensory experience without effective neuromodulation, active current is delivered only during the 30-second ramp-up and ramp-down periods. During the 20-minute stimulation period, no current is delivered. Participants are unable to distinguish sham from active stimulation based on sensation.
Experimental: Placebo TIS followed by Active TIS
Participants first receive single-session placebo (sham) TIS for approx. 20 minutes. Following a washout period, they receive active TIS targeting the hippocampus.
Device: Active Temporal Interference Stimulation (TIS)
Active tTIS delivered via surface electrodes targeting the hippocampus. Parameters: 2 mA baseline-to-peak intensity, 20-minute duration with 30-second ramp-up and ramp-down. The stimulation protocol is individualized based on each participant's T1-weighted structural MRI using finite element modeling to optimize electric field distribution to the hippocampal target.
Device: Placebo / Sham TIS
Sham stimulation delivered using the same electrode placement and parameters as active stimulation. To mimic the sensory experience without effective neuromodulation, active current is delivered only during the 30-second ramp-up and ramp-down periods. During the 20-minute stimulation period, no current is delivered. Participants are unable to distinguish sham from active stimulation based on sensation.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Change in Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Score
Time Frame: Baseline and immediately after intervention
Baseline and immediately after intervention
Change in Gait-Related and Balance-Related Dual-Task Cost
Time Frame: Baseline and immediately after intervention
Baseline and immediately after intervention
Change in Working Memory Performance
Time Frame: Baseline and immediately after intervention
Baseline and immediately after intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Change in Brain function
Time Frame: Baseline and immediately after intervention
Baseline and immediately after intervention
Chang in Brain structure
Time Frame: Baseline and immediately after intervention
Baseline and immediately after intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Shanghai University of Sport

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
Huashan Hospital

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
April 15, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
August 15, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
August 15, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
March 27, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
April 4, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
April 9, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
April 9, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
April 4, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 102772025RT208
  • ChiCTR2600119709 (Other Identifier: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

IPD Plan Description

De-identified individual participant data for primary and secondary outcome measures will be made available upon reasonable request to the corresponding author after publication of the main results.

IPD Sharing Time Frame

Beginning 6 months after publication of the main results.

IPD Sharing Access Criteria

Data will be made available upon reasonable request to the corresponding author. Data will be shared with researchers who submit a methodologically sound research proposal and intend to use the data for non-commercial purposes. Applicants must sign a data access agreement.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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