RS-tDCS for Cannabis Use Disorder: The C.A.R.E.S. Initiative

NCT ID: NCT07184983

Last Updated: 2025-11-13

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

2025-11-12

Study Completion Date

2027-11-01

Brief Summary

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The purpose of this sham-controlled pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and preliminary efficacy of a one-month intervention consisting of 20 home-based active or sham RS-tDCS sessions paired with audio track guided mindfulness meditation practice in otherwise healthy adults seeking to reduce cannabis use in the context of cannabis use disorder (CUD).

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Cannabis Use Disorder

Keywords

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Cannabis CUD tDCS Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Neuromodulation Brain Stimulation

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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Active tDCS

Participants will complete 20 remotely supervised (RS) daily sessions, each 20 minutes, of active dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) tDCS combined with mindfulness meditation.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Mindfulness meditation

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

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

Active Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

Intervention Type DEVICE

tDCS is a noninvasive brain stimulation device that modulates brain activity by delivering low-intensity electrical current (2.0 mA) through scalp sponge electrodes. Device is programmed to ramp up to 2.0 mA (for 30 seconds), provide constant current throughout the session (19 minutes), and then ramp down (for 30 seconds) at the end.

Sham tDCS

Participants will complete 20 RS sham sessions, each 20 minutes, of active DLPFC tDCS combined with mindfulness meditation.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Sham Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

Intervention Type DEVICE

tDCS is a noninvasive brain stimulation device that modulates brain activity by delivering low-intensity electrical current (2.0 mA) through scalp sponge electrodes. Device is programmed to ramp up to 2.0 mA (for 30 seconds) followed by a ramp down (30 seconds), with no current delivery for 18 minutes, and then ramp up (for 30 seconds) and down (for 30 seconds) at the end.

Mindfulness meditation

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

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

Interventions

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Sham Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

tDCS is a noninvasive brain stimulation device that modulates brain activity by delivering low-intensity electrical current (2.0 mA) through scalp sponge electrodes. Device is programmed to ramp up to 2.0 mA (for 30 seconds) followed by a ramp down (30 seconds), with no current delivery for 18 minutes, and then ramp up (for 30 seconds) and down (for 30 seconds) at the end.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Mindfulness meditation

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

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Active Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

tDCS is a noninvasive brain stimulation device that modulates brain activity by delivering low-intensity electrical current (2.0 mA) through scalp sponge electrodes. Device is programmed to ramp up to 2.0 mA (for 30 seconds), provide constant current throughout the session (19 minutes), and then ramp down (for 30 seconds) at the end.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

1. Aged 22-65 years (inclusive)
2. Currently meets the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) criteria for CUD, as determined by DSM-V criteria (M.I.N.I)
3. Positive for cannabis on the 11-COOH-THC single panel urine test
4. Seeking treatment to reduce or discontinue cannabis use (Marijuana Ladder ranged between 5-8 \[inclusive\])
5. Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) score \< 35 (minimal to moderate distress)
6. Wide Range Achievement Test-5(WRAT-5) score ≥ 85
7. Ability to use mobile devices
8. Fluent in English or Spanish

Exclusion Criteria

1. Cannabis is used exclusively as prescribed or directed by their provider
2. Meets DSM-V criteria for substance use disorder within the past six months for any psychoactive substance other than cannabis
3. Meets DSM-V criteria for alcohol use disorder within the past six months
4. Primary psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, or psychotic disorder) as the principal diagnosis, independent of cannabis use disorder; or current diagnosis of bipolar disorder, psychotic disorder, or any other alcohol/substance use disorder as defined by DSM-5-TR and confirmed via the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI).
5. Primary neurologic or major medical disorder that would interfere with study participation.
6. Enrolled in group or individual therapy for substance use disorder that would be concurrent with the study intervention
7. History of moderate or severe traumatic brain injury
8. Seizure disorder or recent (\<5 years) seizure history
9. Presence of metal or active implants in the head/neck
10. Any skin disorder or skin sensitive area near stimulation locations
11. Pregnant or planning pregnancy during the study period or breastfeeding
Minimum Eligible Age

22 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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NYU Langone Health

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

NIH

Sponsor Role collaborator

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Leigh Charvet, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

NYU Langone Health

Locations

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NYU Langone Health

New York, New York, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United States

Central Contacts

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Shayna Pehel

Role: CONTACT

Phone: 929-455-5104

Email: [email protected]

Giuseppina Pilloni

Role: CONTACT

Phone: 929-455-5317

Email: [email protected]

Other Identifiers

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1UG3DA063344-01

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

View Link

25-00489

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id