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).
The proposed double-blind RCT will be conducted over 3 years involving 2 centres among patients with chronic schizophrenia (moderate-severe symptoms) of either gender, aged between 18 and 60. Those with any psychiatric emergency or contraindications for tDCS will be excluded. At baseline, PANSS will be administered to assess the severity of symptom dimension, AHRS for auditory hallucinations, B-CATS for neurocognitive deficits and GAF for global functionality. Patients will be randomized equally to 3 treatment groups: tACS, tDCS, or sham stimulation (30 in each group). The intervention will involve Cathodal stimulation of left TPJ and Anodal stimulation of left DLPFC. The transcranial brain stimulations: tACS, tDCS, or sham stimulation, will be given 2 sessions per day for 10 days. Following the 5th day and after the last treatment session, PANSS, AHRS, B-CATS, and GAF will be readministered to observe for the changes in the various outcome parameters. Any new treatment-emergent serious adverse effect will be recorded.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
90
It is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that uses small, pulsed alternating current (1mA) to modulate lasting cortical excitability, producing facilitatory or inhibitory effects upon a variety of behaviours, with proven efficacy in various neuropsychiatric disorders.
It is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that uses constant, low direct current to modulate lasting cortical excitability, producing facilitatory or inhibitory effects upon a variety of behaviours, with proven efficacy in various neuropsychiatric disorders.
1mA current will be applied for the first 30 seconds to provide the initial sensation of real stimulation, and then the current will be stopped, thus minimizing the stimulatory effects. It is known to have no effect on psychopathology/neuro-cognition and means to mimic the tDCS/tACS (in order to help blinding of the participants).
All India Institute of Medical Scinces - Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
RECRUITINGPositive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)
Measures psychopathology and illness severity in schizophrenia
Time frame: Baseline, Day 5, Day 10
Auditory Hallucination Rating Scale (AHRS)
Measures severity of auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia
Time frame: Baseline, Day 5, Day 10
Brief Cognitive Assessment Tool for Schizophrenia (B-CATS)
Measures neurocognitive deficits in schizophrenia
Time frame: Baseline, Day 5, Day 10
Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF)
Measures overall functioning of the patients with mental illness including schizophrenia
Time frame: Baseline, Day 5, Day 10
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.