The Effect of Combined Brain Stimulation and Exercise for Improving Cognitive Function in Schizophrenia

Starting soon · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Schizophrenia, Cognitive Functions

In brief

The study will investigate the (1) additive and synergistic effects of tDCS and aerobic exercise on cognitive function and clinical symptoms in schizophrenia, and (2) neurophysiological mechanisms (mediators) underlying these effects.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07745140

Run by

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

People needed

66

Starts

2026-09-01

Expected to finish

2028-12-31

Last updated by the study team

2026-08-04

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 65. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Schizophrenia spectrum disorders;
• Aged from 18 to 65.
• Chinese-speaking (to enable cognitive testing).
• Ability to understand the nature of the study and to give informed consent.
• Fewer than 10 hours of physical exercise in the previous 3 months.

You may not qualify if…

• Severe physical illness (Myocardial Infarction, Hypertension, Fracture, Spinal problems in which exercise with mild-to-moderate intensity may be contraindicated).
• Comorbid diagnoses of organic brain syndrome, substance misuse, history of epilepsy or seizure, intellectual disability, significant head trauma, active suicidal ideation or self-harm behaviors.
• Known pregnancy, or other contraindication to tDCS or MRI (e.g., have a cardiac/heart pacemaker, brain aneurysm clips, any implanted metallic or electrical device, or any internal metal foreign objects).

Where it is running

• The Hong Kong Polytechnic University — Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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