The effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) as an intervention to reduce violent behavior in forensic substance abuse patients.

The effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) as an intervention to reduce violent behavior in forensic substance abuse patients. - tDCS as intervention for reduction of violence risk

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

NL-OMON

Registry ID

NL-OMON46791

Enrollment

Registered

2018-07-18

Start date

2018-04-02

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2024-06-11

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

Conditions

aggression decreased empathic abilities

Interventions

25 patients will receive the experimental condition + treatment as usual (TAU) and the other 25 patients will receive a sham condition (placebo) + TAU.

Eligibility

Age

18 Years to 99 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: * Male * Age 18-60 * Good understanding of the Dutch language * Diagnosed with an alcohol and/or cocaine SUD according to the DSM-5 * Patients have to be abstinent * Index offence in violence category

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: * Major neurological conditions (e.g. traumatic brain injury). * Major mental disorders (i.e. major depression, psychotic symptoms)

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
The study investigates the effectiveness of tDCS to change the learning process of the brain cells through electrical stimulation and with that to increase empathic abilities and reduce violence risk in offenders with substance abuse problems. To test the effect of the intervention on the level of empathy, patients will perform a passive viewing task in which they see victims of aggression and rate the degree of empathy they feel. To test the effect of the intervention on aggression, the Point Subtraction Aggression Paradigm (PSAP) will be used. As a standard for effectiveness of the reduction of violent behaviour before and after the tDCS intervention next to the aggression task (PSAP-task) the results of the K-items of the HKT-R risk assessment tool before and after the intervention will be compared. To measure the degree of brain changes in empathy caused by the intervention, electro-encephalography (EEG) will be used. The expectation is that patients who receive tDCS intervention will show higher amplitude in EEG towards the pictures of the victims after the intervention and compared patients who have received the sham-condition.	—

Measure

Time frame

The study investigates the effectiveness of tDCS to change the learning process of the brain cells through electrical stimulation and with that to increase empathic abilities and reduce violence risk in offenders with substance abuse problems. To test the effect of the intervention on the level of empathy, patients will perform a passive viewing task in which they see victims of aggression and rate the degree of empathy they feel. To test the effect of the intervention on aggression, the Point Subtraction Aggression Paradigm (PSAP) will be used. As a standard for effectiveness of the reduction of violent behaviour before and after the tDCS intervention next to the aggression task (PSAP-task) the results of the K-items of the HKT-R risk assessment tool before and after the intervention will be compared. To measure the degree of brain changes in empathy caused by the intervention, electro-encephalography (EEG) will be used. The expectation is that patients who receive tDCS intervention will show higher amplitude in EEG towards the pictures of the victims after the intervention and compared patients who have received the sham-condition.

—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Secundary, we also aim to see whether there will be a reduction of craving in the patients after the tDCS intervention.	—

Countries

Netherlands

Outcome results

None listed

Source: NL-OMON (via WHO ICTRP)