Investigating the Effectiveness of Personalized Optimal Gamma Auditory Frequency Stimulation Intervention on Cognitive Function Enhancement

July 15, 2026 updated by: Chang Gung Memorial Hospital

Investigating the Effectiveness of Personalized Optimal Gamma Auditory Frequency Stimulation Intervention on Cognitive Function Enhancement: An Intervention Study

This study aims to evaluate whether personalized gamma-frequency auditory stimulation enhances cognitive function and brain synchronization. While 40 Hz auditory stimulation has been widely studied, recent evidence suggests optimal frequencies vary by individual. Using a cross-over design with 20 healthy adults, the research compares "optimal" versus "non-optimal" frequencies over one-month intervention periods. Effectiveness is measured through EEG recordings and executive function tasks. The goal is to determine if personalized sensory intervention provides a more effective, non-invasive strategy for enhancing cognitive performance.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Previous studies have shown that 40-Hz gamma-band sensory stimulation can reduce Aβ and p-tau burden and improve memory performance in AD mouse models. However, findings from human studies remain inconsistent due to differences in intervention duration and stimulation protocols. Recent studies further suggest that the optimal frequency for inducing gamma-band neural entrainment varies across individuals. In addition, a pilot study conducted in our laboratory found that the optimal auditory stimulation frequency was not necessarily 40 Hz for all participants. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the effects of optimal auditory frequency stimulation on cognitive performance and its relationship with electrophysiological changes measured by EEG.

The study will recruit 20 cognitively healthy adults. Participants who are willing to join the study will first undergo a screening session to determine whether they meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria and whether auditory stimulation can induce significant neural entrainment. Those who meet the eligibility criteria will proceed to the intervention stage.

This study will adopt a crossover design. All participants will receive two stages of auditory stimulation intervention. Prior to the intervention, participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to one of two experimental groups. One group will receive optimal auditory frequency stimulation during the first stage, while the other group will receive non-optimal auditory frequency stimulation (i.e., the frequency producing the weakest neural entrainment effect). Each group will include 10 participants. During the second intervention stage, the two groups will switch experimental conditions (optimal/non-optimal auditory frequency stimulation).

Each stage will last for one month, with stimulation lasts five days per week and one hour per day. After each intervention session, participants will complete an experimental log form to record adverse effects. A one-month washout period will be implemented between the two intervention stages.

EEG recordings will be conducted before and after each intervention stage, including resting-state EEG, optimal auditory stimulation EEG recordings, and cognitive tasks.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

20

Phase

  • 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 Contact

Study Locations

  • Taiwan
    • Guishan
      • Taoyuan, Guishan, Taiwan, 33302
        • Chang Gung University
        • Contact:

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

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Age between 18 to 40 years old.
  2. The Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument (CASI) score is within normal ranges adjusted for age and education.
  3. Participants have no history of severe neurological or psychiatric disorders (such as stroke, epilepsy, depression, migraine, etc.) that could affect cognitive function.
  4. Participants have not used drugs that may affect cognitive function (e.g., benzodiazepines, anticholinergic medications, etc.).
  5. Participants with normal or corrected vision (e.g., glasses or contact lenses) to normal levels.
  6. Auditory stimuli induce significant neural entrainment.
  7. Self-reported normal hearing

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Participants enrolled in any cognitive enhancement study within the past two months.
  2. Participants with a history of disease that could affect cognitive function (e.g., cancer, autoimmune diseases, etc.).
  3. Individuals with tinnitus or hyperacusis

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: Health Services Research
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Personalized optimal gamma auditory frequency stimulation
The patient receives personalized optimal gamma auditory frequency stimulation at home for 1 month, 5 days per week, and 1 hour per day. The stimulation frequency is selected based on the frequency that produces the strongest neural entrainment.
Device: Personalized optimal gamma auditory frequency stimulation
Participants will receive personalized optimal gamma auditory frequency stimulation using our app downloaded in the mobile device to play the sound for 1 hour per day, 5 days a week, over 1 month.
Active Comparator: Non-optimal gamma auditory frequency stimulation
The patient receives non-optimal gamma auditory frequency stimulation at home for 1 month, 5 days per week, and 1 hour per day. The stimulation frequency is selected based on the frequency that produces the weakest neural entrainment.
Device: Non-optimal gamma auditory frequency stimulation
Participants will receive non-optimal gamma auditory frequency stimulation using our app downloaded in the mobile device to play the sound for 1 hour per day, 5 days a week, over 1 month.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
changes in neurophysiological function
Time Frame: Stage 1 baseline (T1), post one-month intervention of stage 1 (T2), stage 2 baseline (T3), post one-month intervention of stage 2 (T4)
EEG oscillation within the gamma band obtained during resting-state and the periods of optimal and non-optimal auditory stimulation will be analyzed to evaluate and compare the neurophysiological changes.
Stage 1 baseline (T1), post one-month intervention of stage 1 (T2), stage 2 baseline (T3), post one-month intervention of stage 2 (T4)
changes in working memory performance
Time Frame: Stage 1 baseline (T1), post one-month intervention of stage 1 (T2), stage 2 baseline (T3), post one-month intervention of stage 2 (T4)
Behavioral performance and electrophysiological activity will be evaluated via a working memory task.
Stage 1 baseline (T1), post one-month intervention of stage 1 (T2), stage 2 baseline (T3), post one-month intervention of stage 2 (T4)
changes in inhibitory control performance
Time Frame: Stage 1 baseline (T1), post one-month intervention of stage 1 (T2), stage 2 baseline (T3), post one-month intervention of stage 2 (T4)
Behavioral performance and electrophysiological activity will be evaluated via an inhibitory control task.
Stage 1 baseline (T1), post one-month intervention of stage 1 (T2), stage 2 baseline (T3), post one-month intervention of stage 2 (T4)

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Chang Gung Memorial 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)

August 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

September 1, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

July 2, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 2, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

July 8, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

July 16, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 15, 2026

Last Verified

June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 202600632A3

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

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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