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Study on the Clinical Efficacy of Transcranial Strong Alternating Current (Hi-tACS) in Patients With Neuroimmune Diseases With Insomnia

Study on the Clinical Efficacy of Transcranial Strong Alternating Current (Hi-tACS) in Patients With Neuroimmune Diseases With Insomnia

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07558616
Enrollment
80
Registered
2026-04-30
Start date
2025-09-01
Completion date
2027-07-31
Last updated
2026-04-30

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Neuroimmune Diseases With Insomnia

Brief summary

This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the therapeutic effects of high-intensity transcranial alternating current stimulation (hi-tACS) on insomnia symptoms in patients with idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating disorders (IIDDs) by analyzing both the overall disease characteristics of IIDDs and individual patient variability. Additionally, the study will investigate the neuroimmunomodulatory mechanisms of hi-tACS. The findings are expected to provide evidence for the clinical application of hi-tACS in managing insomnia in IIDDs and offer new insights for personalized treatment strategies.

Interventions

DEVICEhigh-intensity transcranial alternating current stimulation, hi-tACS

Operations are performed by trained and qualified researchers using the Nexalin ADI device. For both real and sham treatments, 1 electrode (4.45 cm × 9.53 cm) is placed on the prefrontal lobe (corresponding to the Fp1, Fpz, and Fp2 regions of the International 10-20 system scalp EEG recording electrodes), and 2 electrodes (3.18 cm × 3.81 cm each) are placed on the bilateral mastoids (one on each side). Each participant receives 20 sessions of tACS intervention under the same guiding instructions, once daily for 40 minutes, for 4 consecutive weeks (5 intervention days + 2 rest days per week). After completing 20 consecutive treatments, participants enter a 4-week observation follow-up period without any treatment.

DEVICESham hi-tACS

The sham treatment device is identical to the real device in all aspects (appearance, buttons, electrodes, odor, weight, etc.) except that it does not emit electrical current. Neither participants nor researchers can distinguish between the real and sham devices by appearance. This design creates an initial sensory experience similar to actual stimulation while maintaining the double-blind nature of the study.

Sponsors

Xuanwu Hospital, Beijing
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Patients with idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating disorders (IIDDs) meeting the diagnostic criteria, including neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) \[based on the Chinese Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders (2016 Edition)\] and multiple sclerosis (MS) \[based on the Chinese Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis (2023 Edition)\], and accompanied by insomnia. * Aged between 18 and 65 years, regardless of gender. * Experiencing difficulty falling asleep, difficulty maintaining sleep, or early morning awakening on at least 3 nights per week for more than 3 months. * Severe daytime functional impairment (Chinese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, item 7 \[daytime dysfunction\] ≥2). * Having not taken hypnotics or insomnia treatment medication for at least 4 months. * Female participants aged 18-50 years who agree to use effective contraception throughout the study period. * Agreeing to refrain from receiving medication or other non-pharmacological treatments during the study period. * Agree to participate and sign the informed consent. 2. Patients diagnosed with chronic primary insomnia according to 《The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders》(Text Revision) (DSM-IV-TR) or 《International Classification of Diseases Tenth Revision》(ICD-10): * Aged between 18 and 65 years, regardless of gender. * Experiencing difficulty falling asleep, difficulty maintaining sleep, or early morning awakening on at least 3 nights per week for more than 3 months. * Severe daytime functional impairment (Chinese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, item 7 \[daytime dysfunction\] ≥2). * Having not taken hypnotics or insomnia treatment medication for at least 4 months. * Female aged 18\~50 years agreeing to adopt birth control measures during the study period. * Agreeing to refrain from receiving medication or other non-pharmacological treatments during the study period. * Agree to participate and sign the informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

* History of relapse within the past 1 month. * Drug adjustment within the past 1 month, or receipt of modified electroconvulsive therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy, or other neuralcontroltechnology therapy. * Participation in any other clinical studies within 1 month prior to enrollment or currently. * Presence of cochlear implant system, cardiac-pacemaker, or intracerebral implanted stimulators. * Impaired skin integrity at the electrode placement site, or allergy to electrode gel or adhesive. * History of organic brain diseases such as epilepsy, hydrocephalus, tumor of central nervous system, craniocerebral injury, or intracranial infection. * Pregnant or lactating women, or those intending pregnancy soon; * A score of ≥3 on the suicide item of the Hamilton Depression Scale, or coexisting severe mental disorders; * Presence of severe or unstable organic diseases; * Work night shifts; * Presence of other sleep disorders; * Poor patient compliance preventing cooperation with treatment, follow-up, or clinical, electroencephalographic (EEG), or imaging data collection; * Other circumstances deemed by the investigator as inappropriate for study participation.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
The change in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scoresFrom baseline to 2 months after completion of the 4-week treatment period (up to approximately 12 weeks).Change in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores from baseline to 2 months post-treatment.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
The changes in PSQI scoresFrom baseline to 1 month after completion of the 4-week treatment period (i.e., up to approximately 8 weeks), with assessments conducted at baseline, at the end of the 4-week treatment (after 20 treatment sessions), and 1 month post-treatment.Changes in PSQI scores at baseline, at the end of the 4-week treatment, and 1 month after treatment
The changes in Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) scoresFrom the end of the 4-week treatment period (after 20 treatment sessions) to 2 months post-treatment (up to approximately 12 weeks from baseline), with assessments conducted at the end of treatment, and at 1 and 2 months after treatment.Changes in Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) scores at the end of the 4-week treatment, and at 1 and 2 months after treatment.
The changes in Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) scoresFrom the end of the 4-week treatment period (after 20 treatment sessions) to 2 months post-treatment (up to approximately 12 weeks from baseline), with assessments conducted at the end of treatment, and at 1 and 2 months after treatment.Changes in Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) scores at the end of the 4-week treatment, and at 1 and 2 months after treatment.
The changes in ini-MentalState Examination scores (MMSE) scoresFrom the end of the 4-week treatment period (after 20 treatment sessions) to 2 months post-treatment (up to approximately 12 weeks from baseline), with assessments conducted at the end of treatment, and at 1 and 2 months after treatment.Changes in Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores at the end of the 4-week treatment and at 1 and 2 months after treatment.
The changes in Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) scoresFrom the end of the 4-week treatment period (after 20 treatment sessions) to 2 months post-treatment (up to approximately 12 weeks from baseline), with assessments conducted at the end of treatment, and at 1 and 2 months after treatment.Changes in Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) scores at the end of the 4-week treatment and at 1 and 2 months post-treatment
The changes in Epworth Sleeping Scale (ESS) scoresFrom the end of the 4-week treatment period (after 20 treatment sessions) to 2 months post-treatment (up to approximately 12 weeks from baseline), with assessments conducted at the end of treatment, and at 1 and 2 months after treatment.Changes in Epworth Sleeping Scale (ESS) scores at the end of the 4-week treatment and at 1 and 2 months after treatment.
The changes in ShortForm-36 Health Survey (SF-36) scoresFrom the end of the 4-week treatment period (after 20 treatment sessions) to 2 months post-treatment (up to approximately 12 weeks from baseline), with assessments conducted at the end of treatment, and at 1 and 2 months after treatment.Changes in ShortForm-36 Health Survey (SF-36) scores at the end of the 4-week treatment and at 1 and 2 months post-treatment.
Changes in accuracy rates and reaction times of emotional face recognition tasks, along with variations in power spectrum, entropy, and coherence metricsFrom baseline to 2 months after completion of the 20-session treatment period (up to approximately 12 weeks), with assessments conducted at baseline, immediately before and after the 20 treatment sessions, and at 1- and 2-month post-treatment follow-ups.Changes in accuracy and reaction time in the emotional face recognition task, as well as in power spectrum, entropy, and coherence metrics, from baseline to post-treatment and follow-up assessments.
The changes in lymphatic tissuesFrom baseline to 2 months after completion of the 4-week treatment period (up to approximately 12 weeks), with assessments conducted at the end of treatment (after 20 treatment sessions), and at 1 and 2 months post-treatmentRadiological evaluation of lymphatic tissues includes: observation of changes in lymph nodes, lymphoid tissues, and drainage vessels at the end of the 4-week treatment, and at 1 and 2 months after treatment.
Alterations in Brain NetworksFrom baseline to 2 months after completion of the 4-week treatment period (up to approximately 12 weeks), with assessments conducted at baseline, at the end of treatment (after 20 treatment sessions), and at 1 and 2 months post-treatmentAlterations in Brain Networks: Monitoring via MRI and Polysomnography (PSG) at the end of the 4-week treatment(at the end of 20 treatment sessions), and at 1 and 2 months after treatment
The changes in laboratory biomarkersFrom baseline to 2 months after completion of the 4-week treatment period (up to approximately 12 weeks), with assessments conducted at the end of treatment (after 20 treatment sessions), and at 1 and 2 months post-treatmentChanges in laboratory biomarkers, including IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β, were assessed at baseline, at the end of the 4-week treatment (i.e., after completion of 20 treatment sessions), and at 1- and 2-month post-treatment follow-ups.

Countries

China

Contacts

CONTACTYinan Zhao
zyn1616@xwhosp.org+86 135 0405 1368
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORJunwei Hao

Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 45 Changchun Street, Beijing, China

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: May 1, 2026