STimulation to Improve Auditory haLLucinations

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill25 enrolled

Overview

Investigating the effects of non-invasive transcranial current stimulation as a treatment for auditory hallucinations in patients with schizophrenia.

The investigator's primary objective is to conduct a pilot clinical trial to establish the feasibility and to collect first effectiveness data for the use of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) to re-normalize pathological alpha oscillations in dorso-lateral prefrontal cortex (dl-PFC) of patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder by comparing Auditory Hallucination Rating Scale (AHRS) scores immediately before the first stimulation session and immediately after the last stimulation session. As a secondary objective the investigators will assess the differential clinical effects of sham, 10 Hz and 2 mA transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on electroencephalogram (EEG) measures of alpha oscillations.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

QUADRUPLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Schizophrenia Schizoaffective Disorder

Interventions

tACS (alpha)DEVICE

tDCSDEVICE

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 70 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia, any subtype, or schizoaffective disorder, with refractory auditory hallucinations. Duration of illness \>1 year * 18-70 years old * Clinically stable for at least 12 weeks, i.e. not requiring hospitalization or a change in level of care * On current antipsychotic doses for at least 4 weeks * Stable auditory hallucinations as demonstrated by having less than or equal to 20% change in AHRS scores across a 2 week interval during the screening period. * Capacity to understand all relevant risks and potential benefits of the study and to provide written informed consent, OR has a legal guardian who can provide informed consent on the patient's behalf with the patient providing written assent to participate. Exclusion Criteria: * DSM-IV diagnosis of alcohol of substance abuse (other than nicotine) within the last month or a DSM-IV diagnosis of alcohol or substance dependence (other than nicotine) within the last 6 months * Medical or neurological illness (unstable cardiac disease, AIDS, malignancy, liver or renal impairment) or treatment for a medical disorder that could interfere with study participation * History of traumatic brain injury that required subsequent cognitive rehabilitation, or caused cognitive sequelae * Prior brain surgery * Any brain devices/implants, including cochlear implants and aneurysm clips * Co-morbid neurological condition (e.g. seizure disorder, brain tumor) * Non English speakers * Female participants who are pregnant, nursing, or unwilling to use an adequate method of contraception during study participation for those of childbearing potential * Positive urine test for cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, opiates

Locations (1)

UNC Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Proportional Change From Baseline in Auditory Hallucination Rating Scale (AHRS) Score

The Auditory Hallucination Rating Scale (AHRS) measures the severity of auditory hallucinations in the past week. The scale assesses frequency, duration, location, loudness, belief of origin of voices, negative content, distress, disruption to life, and control over voices. All items are measured on a scale of 0 to 4, with a total possible score of 44. Higher scores indicate higher severity of auditory hallucinations. The investigators will compare the AHRS scores from immediately before the first stimulation and immediately after the last stimulation session as the investigator's primary outcomes measure.

Time frame: Baseline, five days post baseline, 2 weeks post baseline, 5 weeks post baseline

Secondary Outcomes

Change in Alpha Oscillations Measured With Electroencephalogram (EEG) Resting State From Baseline

The investigators will compare alpha oscillation power from resting state EEG recordings on the first and last day of stimulation. The investigators will also collect EEG recordings data at the one week and one month follow up visits. The investigators will use each of the four EEG recordings as data to analyze alpha frequency activity as a pilot study for derivation of EEG biomarkers.

Time frame: Baseline, five days post baseline

Change in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) Scores

The investigators will compare the PANSS total scores immediately before first stimulation session and immediately after last stimulation session as secondary outcome measures. Scores range from 30 to 210, with higher scores indicating more severe symptomology.

Time frame: baseline, five days post baseline, five weeks post baseline

Change in Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS) Score

The Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS) is a battery of cognitive assessments assessing verbal memory and learning, working memory, motor function, verbal fluency, speed of processing, and executive function. Higher scores indicate better cognitive performance. The investigators will compare the BACS total scores immediately before first stimulation session and immediately after last stimulation session as secondary outcome measures. Verbal Memory: Score out of 75 Digit Sequencing: Score out of 28 Token Motor: Score out of 100 Fluency: No score limit Symbol Coding: Score out of 110 Tower of London: Score out of 22 Reported score is the mean of these 6 subtests. Healthy controls (Keefe et al., 2006) scored 45.6 as a comparison.

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.