Effects of Home-Based Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Appetite (NCT07757438) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Effects of Home-Based Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Appetite
100 participantsStarted 2026-08-15
Plain-language summary
This randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-design study aims to evaluate the neurophysiological effects of home-based transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on appetite in adults with binge eating tendencies.
Participants will be randomly assigned to either an active tDCS group or a sham stimulation group. After baseline assessments, participants will self-administer home-based tDCS twice daily for 4 weeks using a wearable wellness device. Appetite, eating behavior, body composition, dietary intake, and psychological outcomes will be assessed throughout the study to evaluate both the acute and chronic effects of repeated tDCS.
Who can participate
Age range
19 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:
* Adults aged 19 to 65 years
* Binge Eating Scale (BES) score ≥18
* BMI ≥18.5 kg/m²
* No significant weight loss or lifestyle changes during the previous 3 months
* Stable chronic medical conditions (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia) are allowed
* Able to use an Android smartphone compatible with the study application (including a study phone if provided)
* Able and willing to provide written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
* Unable to understand the study procedures or provide informed consent
* Implanted pacemaker, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, deep brain stimulator, cochlear implant, coronary stent, or other implanted metallic medical devices (dental implants and joint prostheses are allowed)
* Diagnosis or treatment for a psychiatric or neurological disorder within the previous 3 months
* Use of medications affecting appetite or body weight within the previous month
* Use of medications affecting eating behavior or mood within the previous month
* Pregnant or breastfeeding
* Any medical condition judged by the investigator to interfere with study participation or interpretation of study results
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 Appetite Visual Analog Scale Score Before and After Stimulation
Timeframe: Immediately before and after the first stimulation session on Days 7, 14, 21, and 28.
2
Change in Bedtime Appetite Visual Analog Scale Score Over 4 Weeks