By InvitationNot Applicable

Effects of tDCS on Fear Reversal in Patients With Anxiety Disorders

China140 participantsStarted 2025-12-01

Plain-language summary

This study evaluates the effects of single-session Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on fear reversal learning in patients with anxiety disorders. Participants will be randomized into four groups to receive either active stimulation targeting specific brain regions (right DLPFC or vmPFC), an active control stimulation, or sham stimulation. The main goal is to determine if modulating these brain areas can improve the ability to update safety and threat associations.

Who can participate

Age range

18 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: Age between 18 and 60 years old. Right-handed. Meeting the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for Gambling Disorder (GD). South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) score ≥ 5. Normal or corrected-to-normal vision and hearing. Willingness to provide written informed consent and participate in the study. Exclusion Criteria: History of other severe psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe depression) or neurological diseases (e.g., epilepsy, stroke, brain tumor). History of substance abuse or dependence (excluding nicotine) in the past 6 months. Current use of psychotropic medications that may affect cortical excitability (e.g., antidepressants, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants). Presence of metallic implants in the head or neck area (e.g., cochlear implants, aneurysm clips) or cardiac pacemakers. Skin lesions or sensitivity at the stimulation sites on the scalp. Pregnancy or lactation. Participation in other neuromodulation studies within the last 3 months.

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

Mean Accuracy Rate in the Reversal Phase of the Fear Reversal Task

Timeframe: During the intervention (Day 1, approximately 25 minutes)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07405463

SponsorJingchu Hu

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2028-12-01

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Anxiety Disorders trials