Reducing Tobacco Smoking: a Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (TDCS) Telehealth Study

NCT ID: NCT05460676

Last Updated: 2025-12-17

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

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

46 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2023-08-15

Study Completion Date

2026-04-30

Brief Summary

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The study aims to evaluate the feasibility of using Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC) Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) as a tool to decreasing distress and cigarette smoking. 46 participants currently smoking cigarettes, and seeking to decrease cigarette use will be recruited.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Smoking Cessation

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Caregivers

Study Groups

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Active tDCS + Mindfulness

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

Intervention Type DEVICE

tDCS is noninvasive brain stimulation device that modulates brain activity by delivering a low-intensity electrical current (2.0 mA) through sponge electrodes placed on the scalp.

Mindfulness

Intervention Type OTHER

Participants will follow an audio track for guided mindfulness during the stimulation.

Sham tDCS + Mindfulness

Group Type SHAM_COMPARATOR

Mindfulness

Intervention Type OTHER

Participants will follow an audio track for guided mindfulness during the stimulation.

Sham - Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

Intervention Type OTHER

The tDCS device is programmed to mimic active tDCS.

Interventions

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Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

tDCS is noninvasive brain stimulation device that modulates brain activity by delivering a low-intensity electrical current (2.0 mA) through sponge electrodes placed on the scalp.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Mindfulness

Participants will follow an audio track for guided mindfulness during the stimulation.

Intervention Type OTHER

Sham - Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

The tDCS device is programmed to mimic active tDCS.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* 21-75 years old
* Smoke ≥5 cigarettes per day and express interest in quitting smoking in next 30 days
* Mild to moderate distress defined as K10 scores 10-35
* Self reported previous diagnosis of cancer
* Psychotropic medication stable for ≥1 month prior to enrollment and throughout the trial, at the discretion of the study physician
* Access to a reliable internet connection, able to use mobile device, and complete online questionnaires, competent in instrumental activities of daily living
* Able to read and understand informed consent and questionnaires in English (WRAT-4 score≥85)

Exclusion Criteria

* Inability to effectively use study-provided supplies
* Chronic non-compliance with study procedures
* Changes in health information over the course of enrollment in the study which place the participant at higher risk for an adverse event (as determined by Study Physician or Principal Investigator; e.g. medication changes, invasive procedures)
* Temporary or permanent obstructions to making contact between the electrodes and the scalp (e.g. wig that the participant is not willing to remove)
* History of traumatic brain injury, brain metastases, seizure disorder, recent (\<5 years) seizure history, or a neurodegenerative disease or neurocognitive disorder associated with significant impairment (e.g. Parkinson's, Dementia)
* Current severe major depressive disorder, lifetime history of psychotic disorders or bipolar disorder type I, or current suicidal ideation
* Currently meets DSM-5 criteria for severe substance use disorder in the past 6 months for any psychoactive substance other than tobacco
* Current suicidal ideation (as determined by the MINI)
* Current use of prescription or over the counter smoking cessation medication, or primary use of non-combustible forms of nicotine/tobacco
* Currently receiving intravenous chemotherapy or radiation treatments
* Presence of metal objects in the head/neck
* Any skin disorder or skin sensitive area near stimulation locations
* Self-reported pregnancy
* Enrolled in group or individual therapy for smoking cessation that would be concurrent to intervention
Minimum Eligible Age

21 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

75 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

NIH

Sponsor Role collaborator

Wake Forest University Health Sciences

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Merideth A Addicott, Ph.D.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Wake Forest University Health Sciences

Locations

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Wake Forest University Health Sciences

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United States

Central Contacts

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Janvi Patel

Role: CONTACT

704-355-2000

Facility Contacts

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Hilary R Smith

Role: primary

336-716-5181

Other Identifiers

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40010563

Identifier Type: OTHER

Identifier Source: secondary_id

IRB00076035

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id