None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The aim of this study was to utilise a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to assess it's efficacy in improving symptoms of anorexia nervosa. Eight individuals with anorexia nervosa were randomised to receive tDCS to the inferior parietal lobe of the brain, or sham tDCS, for 10 days over two weeks. They completed assessments pre- and post-intervention including psychological assessments and eyetracking. The study was ceased early due to COVID-19 disruptions.
Interventions
Daily high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) will be administered to the left inferior parietal lobule for 20 minutes, for 10 days over two weeks (weekdays, excluding weekends). 2mA will be administered in a 4x1 electrode montage (electrode size approx 2cm). The montage will administer adonal stimulation (through an anodal central electrode and surrounding cathode electrodes). Stimulation will be preceded and followed by 30 seconds of ramping up and down, respectively.
Daily high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) will be administered to the left inferior parietal lobule for 20 minutes, for 10 days over two weeks (weekdays, excluding weekends). 2mA will be administered in a 4x1 electrode montage (electrode size approx 2cm). The montage will administer adonal stimulation (through an anodal central electrode and surrounding cathode electrodes). Stimulation will be preceded and followed by 30 seconds of ramping up and down, respectively. No speciific site preparation will be necessary, but alcohol wipes may be used to remove extra oils from the hair and skin. The stimulation sessions will occur at Swinburne Univeristy of Techology, The Melbourne Clinic or the Body Image & Eating Disorders Treatment & Recovery Service (BETRS), as preferred by the participant. The stimulation will be administered by a trained research assistant. Participants with anorexia nervosa will be randomised to receive the intervention or sham (placebo) stimulation in a double-blinded randomised controlled pilot investigation.
Sponsors
Swinburne University of Technology
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria include being female, right-handed, English speaking, over 18 year of age and right-handed with a current diagnosis of anorexia nervosa according to DSM-5 criteria. All participants will be required to have ongoing medical support during the course of the intervention. All participants will also be required to be medically stable and stable on any medications for one month prior to inclusion in the study.
Exclusion criteria
Participants will not be included in the study if they have a comorbid psychotic condition, substance/alcohol abuse/dependence, any history of neurological illness, any history of head injury, or any significant ocular pathology. Participants must not be undergoing any brain stimulation intervention currently, or in the past year. As participants will be required to undergo an MRI a number of further exclusions for safety purposes will be required including that the participant is not pregnant or breastfeeding, they do not have any irremovable metal (ferromagnetic metals) in their body and do not suffer from claustrophobia.
Outcome results
None listed