A Pilot Study to Determine a Candidate Protocol for Transcranial Electrical Stimulation in the Treatment of Anxiety

University of Eastern Finland

Status: Unknown

Conditions: Anxiety

Treatments: Device: NeuroConn DC Stimulator Plus, tDCS

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02321891

OptES-Anx-pilot

Details and patient eligibility

About

The investigators examine the efficacy of two different transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) stimulation protocols in the treatment of anxiety in an open-label pilot study.

Full description

The investigators examine the efficacy of two different transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) stimulation protocols in the treatment of anxiety in an open-label pilot study in patients with chronic pain. The investigators also seek to detect autonomic nervous system changes induced by the tDCS, and develop new methods for the measurement of autonomic nervous system functions.

Enrollment: 14 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age 18-65 years
• Naïve to tDCS
• Right-handed
• Beck Anxiety Scores >= 26

Exclusion criteria

• Metal implants inside skull or eye
• Severe skin lesions at the electrode placement area
• History of epilepsy or previous seizures
• Pregnant or breast-feeding
• Pacemaker
• History of intracerebral bleeding during the past six months
• Lifetime DSM-IV diagnosis of bipolar mood disorder or psychotic disorder
• DSM-IV diagnosis for substance abuse or dependence during the past six months

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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14 participants in 2 patient groups

Treatment 1

Experimental group

Description:

NeuroConn DC Stimulator Plus, tDCS treatment protocol no 1

Treatment:

Device: NeuroConn DC Stimulator Plus, tDCS

Treatment 2

Experimental group

Description:

NeuroConn DC Stimulator Plus, tDCS treatment protocol no 2

Treatment:

Device: NeuroConn DC Stimulator Plus, tDCS