Efficacy and Safety of tACS vs tDCS in Schizophrenia

ConditionSchizophrenia

Trial statusRecruiting

Trial phaseNot applicable

Trial typeInterventional

Biological sexAll

Age18-60

SponsorAll India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar

About this trial

This clinical trial aims to compare the efficacy and safety of transcranial Alternating current stimulation (tACS) vs. transcranial Direct current stimulation (tDCS) vs. sham stimulation in chronic schizophrenia.

The main question it aims to answer is:

• In comparison to tDCS, can tACS improve the clinical outcome of patients with chronic schizophrenia?

Participants will be randomised into 3 groups receiving either tDCS, tACS or sham stimulation and changes in psychopathology and neuro-cognition with the interventions will be compared within and between the groups. The primary outcome measure is the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), while secondary outcome measures are the Auditory Hallucination Rating Scale (AHRS), Brief Cognitive Assessment Tool for Schizophrenia (B-CATS), and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF).

Eligibility criteria

Qualifiers

Diagnosis of Schizophrenia as per ICD-10 DCR for more than 2 years

Moderate-severe symptoms (PANSS score > 75 and/or CGI-SCH score>4) [24]

On stable dosing of antipsychotic medications (no changes in medication or doses for 1 month prior to enrolment)

Both sexes; Age range: 18-60 years

Disqualifiers

Features suggestive of psychiatric emergency (for example: suicidal risk, catatonia, prolonged nutritional deprivation) or others (for example: aggression or excitement)

Any contraindication to tDCS procedure: Metal in the head, Implanted brain medical devices, Local lesion or injury in the scalp / head

Co-morbid neurological disease

Left Handed

Trial design

Treatments tested in this trial

transcranial Alternating current stimulation (tACS)
transcranial Direct current stimulation (tDCS)
Sham controlled

Treatment groups

90 Participants

are divided into 3 treatment groups

Sponsors and collaborators

All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar

Lead sponsor

Indian Council of Medical Research

Collaborator

Source ClinicalTrials.gov