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September 3, 2026Methods and ProtocolsOpen Access

Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation Combined with Cognitive Training in Mild Cognitive Impairment: Protocol for an 18-Week Randomised, Double-Blind, Sham-Controlled Feasibility Pilot Study (The iCog.X Boost Trial)

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Authors

RMRose Mery Bou MerhyRCRocco CavaleriGAGhufran Alhassani

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Overview

Randomized double-blind trial reports feasibility protocols for combined brain stimulation and cognitive training in mild cognitive impairment, highlighting strategies to slow cognitive decline.

Key Points

  • To evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, adherence, and safety of combining accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation with cognitive training in older adults diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment.
  • Eighteen-week, randomised, double-blind, sham-controlled pilot trial recruiting 44 participants with mild cognitive impairment (ACTRN12625000952448).
  • Participants are allocated 1:1 to 14 cognitive training sessions over 10 weeks paired with either active or sham accelerated iTBS (5 daily sessions over 5 days at 75% resting motor threshold to the left DLPFC using neuronavigation).
  • Primary feasibility and tertiary neurophysiological endpoints will be summarized descriptively, while secondary cognitive, functional, and psychological measures will be assessed using linear mixed-effects models.
  • Primary outcomes monitor trial feasibility, intervention safety, session adherence, and overall protocol acceptability across the 18-week study period.
  • Secondary exploratory outcomes measure differences in cognitive performance, everyday functional ability, and psychological well-being between active and sham stimulation groups.
  • Tertiary mechanistic endpoints record alterations in cortical excitability and neuroplasticity using electroencephalography and transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Cite This Study

Merhy et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9935f3636c6408cfa7ea59https://doi.org/10.3390/mps9050130
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Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1Feasibility of Interleaving Computerized Cognitive Training With Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: Pilot Studies in Mild Cognitive Impairment Due to Alzheimer’s Disease and Stroke2026
  2. 2Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on cognition in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial2026
  3. 3Feasibility, safety, and preliminary efficacy of intermittent theta burst stimulation combined with task-oriented training in subacute stroke: A pilot randomized controlled trial2026
  4. 4A randomized controlled study on intermittent theta pulse stimulation for improving cognitive impairment after stroke2025
  5. 5The effect of a cognitive training therapy based on stimulation of brain oscillations in patients with mild cognitive impairment in a Chilean sample: study protocol for a phase IIb, 2 × 3 mixed factorial, double-blind randomised controlled trial2024 · 9 citations