Safety and Acute Effects of tDCS on Musical Performance in Adolescent Instrumentalists

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This randomized, sham-controlled proof-of-concept study aims to investigate the safety, tolerability, and acute effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on musical performance in adolescent instrumentalists aged 12 to 16 years. Twenty-four participants will be randomly assigned to active or sham tDCS. Active stimulation will consist of 2.0 mA anodal tDCS applied for 30 minutes using 5 × 7 cm electrodes positioned over FCz and Fp2. Participants will perform the same previously learned instrumental musical piece or excerpt before stimulation, immediately after stimulation, and two hours after stimulation. Musical performances will be evaluated by blinded expert raters using a standardized performance rubric. Safety and tolerability will be monitored using a structured symptom checklist and predefined stopping criteria. Self-rated performance, nervousness, confidence, blinding, and protocol feasibility will also be explored.