Trial Outcomes & Findings for Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Cognitive Remediation Therapy for Psychosis (NCT NCT02085421)

NCT ID: NCT02085421

Last Updated: 2025-03-12

Results Overview

Clinician-administered neurocognitive battery that assesses the aspects of cognition found to be most impaired and most strongly correlated with outcome in patients with schizophrenia. Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS) - post training composite z-score range Arm 1 = -2.46 - 2.24 range Arm 2 = -7.67 - 0.83 Higher scores represent better cognitive performance. The BAC APP composite z-score is calculated as the sum of the subscale z-scores (i.e., verbal memory, digit sequencing, verbal fluency, symbol coding, and tower of london), adjusted by participant age and sex. The primary outcome measure from the BACS is a composite z score, with 0 representing the population mean, normed by age and gender.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

Target enrollment

33 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Baseline, 3-5 weeks

Results posted on

2025-03-12

Participant Flow

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure	Active tDCS The active tDCS will be applied at a current of 1-2mA via two saline soaked electrode sponges (3 cm x 4.5 cm) for the first 20 minutes of each CRT session in the active condition. tDCS: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a form of non-invasive neuromodulation that has been shown to enhance learning. tDCS is applied with current intensity of 1-2 mA of direct current and can be applied both before and during each cognitive remediation treatment session. Two saline soaked electrode sponges will be applied to the scalp.	Sham tDCS In the sham condition, tDCS will be ramped up to 1-2 mA via two saline soaked electrode sponges (3 cm x 4.5 cm) over the first 30 seconds of each CRT session and then turned off. tDCS: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a form of non-invasive neuromodulation that has been shown to enhance learning. tDCS is applied with current intensity of 1-2 mA of direct current and can be applied both before and during each cognitive remediation treatment session. Two saline soaked electrode sponges will be applied to the scalp.
Overall Study STARTED	18	15
Overall Study COMPLETED	13	13
Overall Study NOT COMPLETED	5	2

Reasons for withdrawal

Withdrawal data not reported

Baseline Characteristics

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Cognitive Remediation Therapy for Psychosis

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure	Active tDCS n=13 Participants The active tDCS will be applied at a current of 1-2mA via two saline soaked electrode sponges (3 cm x 4.5 cm) for the first 20 minutes of each CRT session in the active condition. tDCS: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a form of non-invasive neuromodulation that has been shown to enhance learning. tDCS is applied with current intensity of 1-2 mA of direct current and can be applied both before and during each cognitive remediation treatment session. Two saline soaked electrode sponges will be applied to the scalp.	Sham tDCS n=13 Participants In the sham condition, tDCS will be ramped up to 1-2 mA via two saline soaked electrode sponges (3 cm x 4.5 cm) over the first 30 seconds of each CRT session and then turned off. tDCS: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a form of non-invasive neuromodulation that has been shown to enhance learning. tDCS is applied with current intensity of 1-2 mA of direct current and can be applied both before and during each cognitive remediation treatment session. Two saline soaked electrode sponges will be applied to the scalp.	Total n=26 Participants Total of all reporting groups
Age, Categorical <=18 years	0 Participants n=5 Participants	0 Participants n=7 Participants	0 Participants n=5 Participants
Age, Categorical Between 18 and 65 years	13 Participants n=5 Participants	13 Participants n=7 Participants	26 Participants n=5 Participants
Age, Categorical >=65 years	0 Participants n=5 Participants	0 Participants n=7 Participants	0 Participants n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male Female	5 Participants n=5 Participants	4 Participants n=7 Participants	9 Participants n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male Male	8 Participants n=5 Participants	9 Participants n=7 Participants	17 Participants n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB) American Indian or Alaska Native	0 Participants n=5 Participants	0 Participants n=7 Participants	0 Participants n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB) Asian	0 Participants n=5 Participants	1 Participants n=7 Participants	1 Participants n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB) Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander	0 Participants n=5 Participants	0 Participants n=7 Participants	0 Participants n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB) Black or African American	3 Participants n=5 Participants	5 Participants n=7 Participants	8 Participants n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB) White	9 Participants n=5 Participants	6 Participants n=7 Participants	15 Participants n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB) More than one race	1 Participants n=5 Participants	1 Participants n=7 Participants	2 Participants n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB) Unknown or Not Reported	0 Participants n=5 Participants	0 Participants n=7 Participants	0 Participants n=5 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, 3-5 weeks

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	Active tDCS n=13 Participants The active tDCS will be applied at a current of 1-2mA via two saline soaked electrode sponges (3 cm x 4.5 cm) for the first 20 minutes of each CRT session in the active condition. tDCS: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a form of non-invasive neuromodulation that has been shown to enhance learning. tDCS is applied with current intensity of 1-2 mA of direct current and can be applied both before and during each cognitive remediation treatment session. Two saline soaked electrode sponges will be applied to the scalp.	Sham tDCS n=13 Participants In the sham condition, tDCS will be ramped up to 1-2 mA via two saline soaked electrode sponges (3 cm x 4.5 cm) over the first 30 seconds of each CRT session and then turned off. tDCS: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a form of non-invasive neuromodulation that has been shown to enhance learning. tDCS is applied with current intensity of 1-2 mA of direct current and can be applied both before and during each cognitive remediation treatment session. Two saline soaked electrode sponges will be applied to the scalp.
Change in Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS) From Baseline to Post-Training	-0.67 z-score Standard Deviation 1.17	-1.68 z-score Standard Deviation 2.33

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, 3-5 weeks

The VRFCAT is a performance-based functional capacity measure and the 'total recipes accessed' variable represents one component of the full measure. Using a realistic virtual reality environment, the VRFCAT assesses a subject's ability to complete instrumental activities associated with a shopping trip. This provides an estimate of performance on everyday functional tasks. The summary measures include: total time (seconds), total errors, total progressions, total bus schedule checks, total recipe checks. There is no combined total score for this Tool. The minimum number of recipe checks is 0 and there is no maximum number of recipe checks for this task. A higher score on the summary measure 'total recipe checks' indicates worse performance. This means that the higher the number of times a subject consults the reference materials (i.e., recipe), the worse the performance. Based o

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	Active tDCS n=6 Participants The active tDCS will be applied at a current of 1-2mA via two saline soaked electrode sponges (3 cm x 4.5 cm) for the first 20 minutes of each CRT session in the active condition. tDCS: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a form of non-invasive neuromodulation that has been shown to enhance learning. tDCS is applied with current intensity of 1-2 mA of direct current and can be applied both before and during each cognitive remediation treatment session. Two saline soaked electrode sponges will be applied to the scalp.	Sham tDCS n=4 Participants In the sham condition, tDCS will be ramped up to 1-2 mA via two saline soaked electrode sponges (3 cm x 4.5 cm) over the first 30 seconds of each CRT session and then turned off. tDCS: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a form of non-invasive neuromodulation that has been shown to enhance learning. tDCS is applied with current intensity of 1-2 mA of direct current and can be applied both before and during each cognitive remediation treatment session. Two saline soaked electrode sponges will be applied to the scalp.
Change in the Virtual Reality Functional Capacity Assessment Tool (VRFCAT) From Baseline to Post-Training	12.67 scores on a scale Standard Deviation 1.97	11 scores on a scale Standard Deviation 2.94

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, 3-5 weeks

N-back testing is a performance task used to assess working memory. In this task, pairs of numbers are presented on a computer screen, and participant are instructed to press a button whenever the pair of numbers corresponds to the pair of numbers presented two trials before (2-back). Number of hits and number of false alarms are used to calculate d-prime, the primary outcome. Depending on the number of trials completed, the range of d-prime is expected to be from -4.46 (0 hits, 80 FA) to +4.46 (20 hits, 0 FA), based on the literature. In our study, hits ranged from 3-56 and false alarms ranged from 1-146, therefore d-prime ranged from -0.42-4.02 in the full sample for the 2-back condition. A lower score on d-prime indicates worse performance.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	Active tDCS n=8 Participants The active tDCS will be applied at a current of 1-2mA via two saline soaked electrode sponges (3 cm x 4.5 cm) for the first 20 minutes of each CRT session in the active condition. tDCS: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a form of non-invasive neuromodulation that has been shown to enhance learning. tDCS is applied with current intensity of 1-2 mA of direct current and can be applied both before and during each cognitive remediation treatment session. Two saline soaked electrode sponges will be applied to the scalp.	Sham tDCS n=8 Participants In the sham condition, tDCS will be ramped up to 1-2 mA via two saline soaked electrode sponges (3 cm x 4.5 cm) over the first 30 seconds of each CRT session and then turned off. tDCS: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a form of non-invasive neuromodulation that has been shown to enhance learning. tDCS is applied with current intensity of 1-2 mA of direct current and can be applied both before and during each cognitive remediation treatment session. Two saline soaked electrode sponges will be applied to the scalp.
Change in the D-prime Score of the N-Back Working Memory Test From Baseline to Post-Training	1.99 units on a scale Standard Deviation 1.12	1.42 units on a scale Standard Deviation 1.09

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 3-5 weeks

reflects the number of correct responses and the unit is the number of trials. Number of hits and number of false alarms are used to calculate d-prime, the primary outcome.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	Active tDCS n=8 Participants The active tDCS will be applied at a current of 1-2mA via two saline soaked electrode sponges (3 cm x 4.5 cm) for the first 20 minutes of each CRT session in the active condition. tDCS: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a form of non-invasive neuromodulation that has been shown to enhance learning. tDCS is applied with current intensity of 1-2 mA of direct current and can be applied both before and during each cognitive remediation treatment session. Two saline soaked electrode sponges will be applied to the scalp.	Sham tDCS n=8 Participants In the sham condition, tDCS will be ramped up to 1-2 mA via two saline soaked electrode sponges (3 cm x 4.5 cm) over the first 30 seconds of each CRT session and then turned off. tDCS: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a form of non-invasive neuromodulation that has been shown to enhance learning. tDCS is applied with current intensity of 1-2 mA of direct current and can be applied both before and during each cognitive remediation treatment session. Two saline soaked electrode sponges will be applied to the scalp.
N-Back - Post Training 2-back Number of Hits Provided Here	39.88 number of trials Standard Deviation 11.67	38.88 number of trials Standard Deviation 8.41

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 3-5weeks

reflects the number of times the participant incorrectly indicates that there is a match (when there is not) and the unit is the number of trials. Number of hits and number of false alarms are used to calculate d-prime, the primary outcome.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	Active tDCS n=8 Participants The active tDCS will be applied at a current of 1-2mA via two saline soaked electrode sponges (3 cm x 4.5 cm) for the first 20 minutes of each CRT session in the active condition. tDCS: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a form of non-invasive neuromodulation that has been shown to enhance learning. tDCS is applied with current intensity of 1-2 mA of direct current and can be applied both before and during each cognitive remediation treatment session. Two saline soaked electrode sponges will be applied to the scalp.	Sham tDCS n=8 Participants In the sham condition, tDCS will be ramped up to 1-2 mA via two saline soaked electrode sponges (3 cm x 4.5 cm) over the first 30 seconds of each CRT session and then turned off. tDCS: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a form of non-invasive neuromodulation that has been shown to enhance learning. tDCS is applied with current intensity of 1-2 mA of direct current and can be applied both before and during each cognitive remediation treatment session. Two saline soaked electrode sponges will be applied to the scalp.
N-Back - Post Training 2-back Number of False Alarms Provided Here	24.75 number of trials Standard Deviation 28.05	49.63 number of trials Standard Deviation 50.36

Adverse Events

Active tDCS

Serious events: 0 serious events

Other events: 11 other events

Deaths: 0 deaths

Sham tDCS

Serious events: 0 serious events

Other events: 11 other events

Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure	Active tDCS n=18 participants at risk The active tDCS will be applied at a current of 1-2mA via two saline soaked electrode sponges (3 cm x 4.5 cm) for the first 20 minutes of each CRT session in the active condition. tDCS: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a form of non-invasive neuromodulation that has been shown to enhance learning. tDCS is applied with current intensity of 1-2 mA of direct current and can be applied both before and during each cognitive remediation treatment session. Two saline soaked electrode sponges will be applied to the scalp.	Sham tDCS n=15 participants at risk In the sham condition, tDCS will be ramped up to 1-2 mA via two saline soaked electrode sponges (3 cm x 4.5 cm) over the first 30 seconds of each CRT session and then turned off. tDCS: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a form of non-invasive neuromodulation that has been shown to enhance learning. tDCS is applied with current intensity of 1-2 mA of direct current and can be applied both before and during each cognitive remediation treatment session. Two saline soaked electrode sponges will be applied to the scalp.
General disorders headache	22.2% 4/18 • Number of events 4 • 3-5 weeks	13.3% 2/15 • Number of events 2 • 3-5 weeks
General disorders neck pain	0.00% 0/18 • 3-5 weeks	26.7% 4/15 • Number of events 4 • 3-5 weeks
General disorders scalp pain	16.7% 3/18 • Number of events 3 • 3-5 weeks	13.3% 2/15 • Number of events 2 • 3-5 weeks
General disorders tingling	27.8% 5/18 • Number of events 5 • 3-5 weeks	26.7% 4/15 • Number of events 4 • 3-5 weeks
General disorders itching	11.1% 2/18 • Number of events 2 • 3-5 weeks	20.0% 3/15 • Number of events 3 • 3-5 weeks
General disorders burning sensation	22.2% 4/18 • Number of events 4 • 3-5 weeks	40.0% 6/15 • Number of events 6 • 3-5 weeks
General disorders skin redness	0.00% 0/18 • 3-5 weeks	0.00% 0/15 • 3-5 weeks
General disorders sleepiness	38.9% 7/18 • Number of events 7 • 3-5 weeks	26.7% 4/15 • Number of events 4 • 3-5 weeks
General disorders trouble concentration	11.1% 2/18 • Number of events 2 • 3-5 weeks	20.0% 3/15 • Number of events 3 • 3-5 weeks
General disorders acute mood change	27.8% 5/18 • Number of events 5 • 3-5 weeks	20.0% 3/15 • Number of events 3 • 3-5 weeks

Additional Information

Caroline Demro

University of Minnesota

Phone: (612) 625-3330

Email: [email protected]

Results disclosure agreements

Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
Publication restrictions are in place