Online HD-tDCS Over the Left DLPFC During a Working Memory Task for Treating Negative Symptoms of… (NCT05582980) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Online HD-tDCS Over the Left DLPFC During a Working Memory Task for Treating Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Taiwan60 participantsStarted 2020-06-15
Plain-language summary
In this randomized double-blind trial, the investigators aim to investigate whether online high definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) during a working memory task improves the severity of negative symptoms in schizophrenia patients with predominant negative symptoms.
Who can participate
Age range
20 Years – 65 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Subjects aged 20-65 years and diagnosed with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition ( DSM-5 ) schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
* Duration of illness≧1 year
* With a clinical presentation of predominant negative symptoms (according to the clinical judgment of 2 experienced psychiatrists) and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) score \> 70
* Receiving stable antipsychotic drug regimen \>8 weeks.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Subjects with current psychiatric comorbidity or active substance use disorder with the exception of caffeine and/or tobacco
* Having contraindications for tDCS, e.g., implanted brain medical devices or metal in the head
* Pregnancy at enrollment
* Having a history of seizures, intracranial neoplasms or surgery, severe head injuries, or cerebrovascular diseases
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
The change over time in the Chinese version of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale Factor Score for Negative Symptoms (PANSS-FSNS) (from baseline to the timepoints immediately after intervention, at one-week and one-month follow-ups).