CompletedNot Applicable

The Effects of Bimodal tDCS on Illness Severity, Insight, Functional Outcomes, Neurocognition and HRV in Schizophrenia

Taiwan60 participantsStarted 2017-07-17

Plain-language summary

The study aimed to investigate the effects of bimodal anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on psychopathological symptoms, insight, psychosocial functioning, neurocognitive function and heart rate variability (HRV) in schizophrenia patients

Who can participate

Age range20 Years – 65 Years

SexALL

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Inclusion criteria

✓. Eligible participants aged 20-65 with DSM-IV-TR-defined schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.
✓. Duration of illness ≧ 1 year.
✓. Being on an adequate therapeutic dose of antipsychotics and clinically stable (nonacute phase of illness) but symptomatic for at least 4 weeks prior to enrolment as defined by Clinical Global Impression-Severity of Illness scale (CGI-S) score ≦ 4 (at both screening and baseline).
✓. Agreement to participate in the study and provide the written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

✕. Having current psychiatric comorbidity or active substance use disorder, in exception to caffeine and/or tobacco.
✕. Having history of seizures.
✕. Having contraindications for tDCS, e.g., implanted brain medical devices or metal in the head.
✕. Having history of intracranial neoplasms or surgery, or a history of severe head injuries or cerebrovascular diseases.
✕. Pregnancy or breastfeeding at enrollment.

What they're measuring

Changes from baseline scores of Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) at the timepoint immediately after tDCS, at one month and three months after tDCS.

Timeframe: Three months

Trial details

NCT IDNCT03701100

SponsorTri-Service General Hospital

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2018-09-21

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Schizophrenia trials