Transcranial Temporal Interference Stimulation (tTIS) for Chronic Insomnia
30 participantsStarted 2026-08-30
Plain-language summary
The purpose of this exploratory randomized controlled clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcranial temporal interference stimulation (tTIS) in the treatment of chronic insomnia. The study aims to investigate whether non-invasive tTIS intervention can effectively modulate specific neural activities to improve sleep quality and alleviate related clinical symptoms in patients suffering from chronic insomnia.
Participants enrolled in this study will be randomly assigned to receive either active tTIS treatment or sham stimulation. Researchers will collect clinical assessments and sleep monitoring data before, during, and after the intervention to compare the outcomes between the different groups and determine the therapeutic potential of tTIS for insomnia management.
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
. Aged 18 to 65 years old, male or female.
. Eligibility required an ICD-11 diagnosis of chronic insomnia disorder, determined by investigator-administered clinical interviews (≥3 nights/week for ≥3 months, despite adequate opportunity/conditions for sleep, with daytime distress or functional impairment).
. Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) total score ≥ 15 at screening or baseline assessment.
. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) total scores both ≤ 9 at screening assessment.
. Has full civil capacity, is able to proficiently operate a smartphone and wearable sleep band, and can understand and cooperate with clinical scale assessments and neurophysiological examinations.
. Voluntarily participates, can ensure on-time hospital visits for 10 transcranial temporal interference stimulation (tTIS) sessions over 2 consecutive weeks, and can cooperate with the 1-month longitudinal follow-up.
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
Change in Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) Score
Timeframe: Baseline (Day 1) and within 24 hours (0-24 h) after completion of the final treatment session on Day 13.
. Fully understands the study purpose, intervention procedures, and potential risks, and voluntarily signs the written informed consent form.
Exclusion criteria
. Psychiatric conditions: (1) schizophrenia spectrum disorder or bipolar disorder, determined based on participant self-report of prior clinician diagnosis and treatment history and, when feasible, review of available medical records; (2) moderate-to-severe depressive or anxiety symptoms (PHQ-9 ≥ 10 or GAD-7 ≥ 10; either threshold met); (3) current suicidal ideation/behavior or elevated suicide risk as assessed by the investigator.
. Secondary sleep disorders: Severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA; AHI ≥ 30), restless legs syndrome (RLS), narcolepsy, or severe circadian rhythm disorders.
. Epilepsy risk: History of seizures/convulsions or a clear family history of epilepsy.
. Intracranial metal and implanted electronic devices: Intracranial metal implants (e.g., aneurysm clips, metal stents, repair patches; fixed dental fillings excluded) or implanted electronic devices (e.g., cardiac pacemakers, deep brain stimulators \[DBS\], vagus nerve stimulators \[VNS\]).
. Medical history (neurologic): Recent craniotomy, severe traumatic brain injury, or organic brain lesions (e.g., brain tumors).
. Special populations: Pregnant, lactating, or planning pregnancy during the study period.
. Skin and physical restrictions: Skin damage, infection, or severe rash at the scalp stimulation site (especially over the left DLPFC and the return electrode site), or severe allergy to conductive gel/electrodes.
. Somatic comorbidities/substance use: Severe cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic, or renal dysfunction, or other conditions deemed by the investigator to potentially affect participant safety or study assessments (e.g., severe alcohol or drug abuse).