Combining HD-tDCS and iTBS in Treating Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Enrolling by invitation · Not applicable · Has a placebo group
Conditions studied: Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia, Brain Stimulation Intervention
In brief
Dysfunction of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is central to the persistence of negative symptoms in schizophrenia. Both HD-tDCS and iTBS targeting the left DLPFC have shown therapeutic benefit. This trial will test the hypothesis that combining HD-tDCS with iTBS yields additive efficacy.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT07680959
- Run by
- Tri-Service General Hospital (TSGH)
- People needed
- 100
- Starts
- 2024-05-06
- Expected to finish
- 2028-03-01
- Last updated by the study team
- 2026-07-09
Who can join
Age: 18 and older, up to 65. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.
You may qualify if…
- Subjects diagnosed with DSM-5 schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder;
- With a clinical presentation characterized by predominant negative symptoms, as determined by psychiatric assessment and a score of at least 20 on the Negative Symptoms Subscale of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS);
- Stable positive and negative symptoms for at least 4 weeks, as documented in medical records and confirmed by clinical judgment and psychiatric interview;
You may not qualify if…
- Unstable medical conditions;
- Current psychiatric comorbidity or active substance use disorder (except for tobacco use disorders);
- Contraindications for MRI, tDCS or rTMS;
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding at the time of enrollment;
- History of meningitis, encephalitis, seizures, intracranial neoplasms or surgery, severe head injury or cerebrovascular disease, or a family history of seizures;
- rTMS or tDCS treatment within the past 6 months as well as a history of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT);
- Any skin lesion at the stimulation sites;
- Patients receiving medications that significantly change the seizure threshold;
- A history of suicidal behavior within the past 6 months, or symptom worsening and emergence of suicidal ideation during the screening period.
Where it is running
- Tri-service general hospital — Taipei, Taiwan
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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