Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) as Therapeutical Strategy for Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia

NCT ID: NCT01623726

Last Updated: 2013-12-16

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

WITHDRAWN

Clinical Phase

PHASE2

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2012-08-31

Study Completion Date

2014-08-31

Brief Summary

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The current research is aimed at using Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) as complementary therapeutic tool in the treatment of schizophrenia. Patients will be randomized into two groups (tDCS-active x tDCS-sham) accordingly to detailed protocol. Main outcome will be measured by specific clinical rating scales based on the assessment of negative symptoms. A total of 40 patients ought to be enrolled as specified in methodology. Secondary outcomes shall include collateral effects evaluation, anxiety and depressive scales as well as clinical monitoring.

Detailed Description

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Overview

The present study is a double-blind randomized clinical trial in which patients should be allocated from a General Psychiatry Service into two groups (tDCS-active x tDCS-sham). Subjects who fulfilled eligibility criteria will undergo ten days of consecutive stimulation (active or sham) and will return after two to four weeks for final clinical assessment. Patients who shown no response in rating scales and that were allocated to sham intervention group will be able to choose whether or not they want to undergo the active intervention at follow up (partial cross-over)

Conditions

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Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Schizophrenia

Keywords

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Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Schizophrenia

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

TRIPLE

Participants Investigators Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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tDCS active

Active tDCS as foreseen in research protocol: daily sessions for 10 days with 2mA intensity stimulation during 20 minutes.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation. Daily sessions with a total of 10 days intervention. Each intervention will take place with a 2mA intensity during 20 minutes. The current will be delivered by "Chattanooga Iontophoresis Dual Channel Delivery Device", that stands for a 2-channels tDCS device in which previous dosage can be set as default to maintain frequently used treatment parameters. Main features include (a) Beeping alerts if electrode fault for open current or high impedance, low battery, treatment completion or power left on; (b)automatic 30 second current ramp up and down during power on/off keeps patient comfortable; (c) Current can be set in 0.1 mA increments between 0.5 mA and 4 mA.

tDCS sham

Sham tDCS : as foreseen in research protocol: sham stimulation with initial stimulation followed by turning off the device during the same time of intervention as to guarantee blinding

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation. Daily sessions with a total of 10 days intervention. Each intervention will take place with a 2mA intensity during 20 minutes. The current will be delivered by "Chattanooga Iontophoresis Dual Channel Delivery Device", that stands for a 2-channels tDCS device in which previous dosage can be set as default to maintain frequently used treatment parameters. Main features include (a) Beeping alerts if electrode fault for open current or high impedance, low battery, treatment completion or power left on; (b)automatic 30 second current ramp up and down during power on/off keeps patient comfortable; (c) Current can be set in 0.1 mA increments between 0.5 mA and 4 mA.

Interventions

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Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation. Daily sessions with a total of 10 days intervention. Each intervention will take place with a 2mA intensity during 20 minutes. The current will be delivered by "Chattanooga Iontophoresis Dual Channel Delivery Device", that stands for a 2-channels tDCS device in which previous dosage can be set as default to maintain frequently used treatment parameters. Main features include (a) Beeping alerts if electrode fault for open current or high impedance, low battery, treatment completion or power left on; (b)automatic 30 second current ramp up and down during power on/off keeps patient comfortable; (c) Current can be set in 0.1 mA increments between 0.5 mA and 4 mA.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* patients with age between 18-59 years
* diagnostic of Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder as stated by DSM-IV and confirmed by SCID (Structured Clinical Interview for DSMIV), to be tested by a psychiatrist
* baseline score higher than 20 for negative symptoms at PAAN
* patients able to read and understand Portuguese.

Exclusion Criteria

* other psychiatric diagnosis
* criteria for bipolar disorder; dementia; other psychotic disturbs; substance related disorders
* presence of other severe neurological or clinical diseases
* presence of suicidal behavior (planning or attempt in the previous 4 weeks)
* pregnancy
* incapacity of coping with the informed consent
* specific tDCS limitations (such as anatomic problems)

Regarding medication: all patients should have stable dosology of medications for at least 6 weeks
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

59 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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University of Sao Paulo

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Andre Brunoni

Prof. Dr.

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Andre R Brunoni, PhD

Role: STUDY_CHAIR

Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo

Pedro Shiozawa, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericóridia de São Paulo

Quirino Jr Cordeiro, PhD

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo

Locations

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Centro de Atenção Integrada à Saúde Mental

São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

Site Status

Countries

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Brazil

References

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Brunoni AR, Teng CT, Correa C, Imamura M, Brasil-Neto JP, Boechat R, Rosa M, Caramelli P, Cohen R, Del Porto JA, Boggio PS, Fregni F. Neuromodulation approaches for the treatment of major depression: challenges and recommendations from a working group meeting. Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2010 Jun;68(3):433-51. doi: 10.1590/s0004-282x2010000300021.

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Other Identifiers

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CAISM-001

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id