The Hi-tACS on Cognitive Function in Patients With Schizophrenia

NCT ID: NCT06470516

Last Updated: 2024-06-24

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

100 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-04-01

Study Completion Date

2026-04-01

Brief Summary

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This study is a double-blind, randomized, controlled intervention study aimed at exploring whether high-frequency transcranial alternating current stimulation (Hi-tACS) can improve cognitive impairment in patients with schizophrenia.

Detailed Description

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Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe mental disorder characterized by a high suicide rate and significant disability. Cognitive impairment is one of the core symptoms of schizophrenia, with approximately 98% of patients experiencing a decline in cognitive function compared to pre-illness levels. Research has found that individuals with schizophrenia show significant impairments in seven domains, including reaction time, attention, working memory, verbal learning and memory, visual learning and memory, logical reasoning, and social cognition.

Pharmacological treatment remains the primary approach for managing schizophrenia. However, cognitive impairment in individuals with schizophrenia often does not respond well to medication. Additionally, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may have potential cognitive side effects. Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), a form of noninvasive brain stimulation, has been found in several studies to improve cognition. However, its effectiveness is not yet clear.

Conventional tACS utilizes weak currents below 4mA, which can only directly stimulate certain cortical areas and indirectly stimulate deep brain structures. Moreover, the targeting of specific brain regions can be complex, and users may experience a sensation of heat on the skin where the electrodes come into contact.High-frequency transcranial alternating current stimulation (Hi-tACS) employs electrical currents greater than 10mA, typically ranging from 10-15mA. Unlike conventional tACS, Hi-tACS can apply stimulation to the entire brain, potentially enhancing its therapeutic effects. Moreover, Hi-tACS does not require precise targeting and is generally well-tolerated without any discomfort during the stimulation. It is considered a promising and potentially safe treatment modality for cognitive impairment in schizophrenia.

Conditions

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Schizophrenia

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

TRIPLE

Participants Caregivers Investigators

Study Groups

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treatment arm

The frequency of the stimulation was 77.5Hz and the intensity was 15mA. Each participant was treated twice a day for 40 minutes each time, with an interval of more than 3 hours between the two sessions for 30 days

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

high-frequency transcranial alternating current stimulation

Intervention Type DEVICE

The experimental group received real stimulation of high-frequency transcranial alternating current stimulation (Hi-tACS).The treatment duration is 30 days, with two sessions per day, each lasting 40 minutes.The experimental group received Hi-tACS with parameters set at 77.5Hz and 15mA.

sham-treatment arm

The frequency of the stimulation was 77.5Hz and the intensity was 0mA. Each participant was treated twice a day for 40 minutes each time, with an interval of more than 3 hours between the two sessions for 30 days

Group Type SHAM_COMPARATOR

sham high-frequency transcranial alternating current stimulation

Intervention Type DEVICE

The the control group received sham stimulation of high-frequency transcranial alternating current stimulation (Hi-tACS).The treatment duration is 30 days, with two sessions per day, each lasting 40 minutes.The experimental group received Hi-tACS with parameters set at 0mA

Interventions

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high-frequency transcranial alternating current stimulation

The experimental group received real stimulation of high-frequency transcranial alternating current stimulation (Hi-tACS).The treatment duration is 30 days, with two sessions per day, each lasting 40 minutes.The experimental group received Hi-tACS with parameters set at 77.5Hz and 15mA.

Intervention Type DEVICE

sham high-frequency transcranial alternating current stimulation

The the control group received sham stimulation of high-frequency transcranial alternating current stimulation (Hi-tACS).The treatment duration is 30 days, with two sessions per day, each lasting 40 minutes.The experimental group received Hi-tACS with parameters set at 0mA

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

1. Meets the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia according to DSM-5.
2. Age ≥ 18 years old.
3. Right-handed.
4. Willing to participate in this study and sign an informed consent form. If the participant is unable to read and sign the informed consent form due to lack of capacity, a legal guardian must act as a proxy during the informed consent process and sign the form.
5. Clinically stable, receiving antipsychotic medication treatment with a stable dose for 4 weeks without any changes.
6. Montreal Cognitive Assessment score ≥ 10 points.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Psychotic disorders caused by split affective disorder, bipolar disorder, intellectual disability, anxiety spectrum disorders, drugs, alcohol, and other psychoactive substances according to DSM-V diagnostic criteria.
2. Those with severe or unstable organic diseases, with a history of brain tumors or epilepsy.
3. Those who have received MECT or TMS treatment within 1 month before enrollment.
4. Skin integrity at the electrode placement site is compromised. Allergy to electrode gel or adhesive.
5. Implants of metal or electronic devices (such as pacemakers, cochlear implants, deep brain stimulators, aneurysm clips, internal fixation devices after ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery, etc.).
6. Participation in any other clinical trials within 1 month prior to baseline.
7. Pregnant and lactating women.
8. The investigator believes that there are inappropriate conditions for participating in this study.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Quzhou Third hospital

UNKNOWN

Sponsor Role collaborator

Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Jinsong Tang

Deputy chief physician

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital

Hanzhou, Zhejiang, China

Site Status RECRUITING

Quzhou Third Hospital

Quzhou, Zhejiang, China

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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China

Central Contacts

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Jinsong Tang, Doctorate

Role: CONTACT

+8613627311963

Facility Contacts

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Jinsong Tang

Role: primary

13627311963

Xiaofeng Gao

Role: primary

Other Identifiers

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20230914

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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