Psychiatric Disorder
Conditions
Keywords
Brain Stimulation, tDCS, Psychotherapy, Psychiatric Disorder
Brief summary
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), is a neuromodulatory technique, that is safe, well-tolerated, easy to administer and fairly inexpensive. Results from tDCS trials involving participants with several neuropsychiatric disorders, including major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and substance use disorder are encouraging. The clinical effects of tDCS are broad; the underlying condition, the areas stimulated together with the type and duration of stimulation are important factors. In patients with neuropsychiatric conditions, a reduction of symptoms, an enhancement of neurocognitive functions together with an overall improvement in functionality and wellbeing have been consistently reported. These effects emerge during the stimulation period, in the weeks after stimulation, the effects seem to peak and consolidate further. tDCS appears to enhance the effects of other interventions as well; however, to date, there have been no studies into the effects of using tDCS as an add-on intervention to psychotherapy on symptoms and wellbeing
Interventions
DEVICEActive tDCS
Active tDCS will be delivered at 2mA for 20 minutes.
BEHAVIORALAssertiveness Training Program (ATP)
The Assertiveness Training Program (ATP) is a cognitive-behavioural therapy delivered in group sessions.
DEVICESham tDCS
Sham tDCS, after 40 seconds of stimulation (2mA), a small current pulse was delivered every 550 msec (110 muA over 15 msec).
Sponsors
Psychiatric University Hospital, Zurich
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Intervention model description
The investigators plan a double-blind, randomised, sham-controlled trial in a cross-over design to assess the efficacy and safety of tDCS as an add-on intervention to a psychotherapeutic treatment for patients with a severe psychiatric condition requiring hospitalization.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Participants are competent to give informed consent, as determined by the referring physician or psychiatrist. * German language proficiency as a native speaker or level B1 * A psychiatric diagnosis according to ICD-10; * Three or more psychiatric hospitalizations in the past 12 months; or * A cumulative length of stay over 40 days; or * Referral for further treatment to our treatment unit.
Exclusion criteria
* Concomitant group psychotherapeutic intervention. * Current neurological disorder. * Current cardiovascular disorder. * Current respiratory disorder. * Current substance use or withdrawal. * Epilepsy.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Psychopathological Assessment | Change: Baseline, 3, 6 weeks, 6 and 12 months | Symptom Questionnaire |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Insecurity- Self-confidence | Change: Baseline, 3, 6 weeks, 6 and 12 months | Symptom Questionnaire |
Countries
Switzerland
Contacts
Primary ContactStephan T. Egger, MD
Outcome results
None listed