Effect of High-Intensity Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation on Gambling Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-60
SponsorShanghai Mental Health Center

About this trial

The investigators assume that High-intensity transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (HI-tACS) could improve gambling disorder patients' executive-control function by modulating abnormal neural activity, particularly gamma-band oscillations, which are closely associated with executive-control deficits. This study intends to validate the effect of HI-tACS treatment, which has been discovered in the previous pilot study. A three-month follow-up assessment will be conducted to test the changes in executive-control function and its underlying mechanism.

Eligibility criteria

Qualifiers

Aged 18-60, male or female, with 9 or more years of education, and able to complete questionnaire evaluation and behavioral tests;

Meet DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders,DSM) diagnostic criteria for gambling disorder;

Have gambled for at least one year (at least once a week);

Normal vision and hearing, or within the normal range after correction;

Disqualifiers

Have severe cognitive impairment, such as a history of head trauma, -cerebrovascular disease, epilepsy, etc.;

Have used drugs promoting cognitive function in the last 6 months;

Have impaired intelligence (Intelligence Quotient<70);

Abuse or dependence of psychoactive substances (except nicotine) in the last 5 years.

Trial design

Treatments tested in this trial

  • HI-tACS
  • Sham stimulation

Treatment groups

60 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups

Sponsors and collaborators