NCT01270126

Brief Summary

Non-invasive brain stimulation can increase cortical excitability in the visual system, but it is not known if this is of clinical value. The investigators now assessed if repetitive, transcranial alternating current stimulation (rtACS) can improve visual field size in patients with optic nerve damage. The investigators hypothesized that rtACS would improve visual functions within the defective visual field sectors of the visual field (primary outcome measure).

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
22

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Nov 2006

Longer than P75 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

November 1, 2006

Completed
4.1 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

December 1, 2010

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

December 1, 2010

Completed
1 month until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

January 3, 2011

Completed
2 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

January 5, 2011

Completed
2.7 years until next milestone

Results Posted

Study results publicly available

September 4, 2013

Completed
Last Updated

November 9, 2020

Status Verified

December 1, 2013

Enrollment Period

4.1 years

First QC Date

January 3, 2011

Results QC Date

June 19, 2013

Last Update Submit

November 6, 2020

Conditions

Keywords

optic neuropathyalternating current stimulationvision recoveryrestorationplasticity

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Detection Accuracy (DA) Change in Percent Over Baseline Within Defective Visual Field Sectors

    Central visual fields were assessed with computer-based high-resolution perimetry (HRP). Based on such plots, areas of the visual field were characterized as intact, partially damaged or absolutely impaired (blind). Detection accuracy (DA) change in percent above baseline within defective visual field sectors was defined as the primary outcome criterion.

    Outcome measures were assessed at initial diagnostics (baseline) and after 10 days stimulation at post diagnostics

Secondary Outcomes (1)

  • Other Visual and EEG Parameters

    Nov 2006 - Dec 2010

Study Arms (2)

rtACS (Verum condition)

EXPERIMENTAL

Repetitive transorbital alternating current stimulation (rtACS)

Device: Repetitive transorbital alternating current stimulation

Sham stimulation (placebo condition)

NO INTERVENTION

A clicking sound was presented and the same electrode montage set-up was used during rtACS- and placebo-stimulation, except that placebo patients received no current (stimulator turned off)

Interventions

Repetitive, transorbital alternating current stimulation (rtACS) was applied with a multi-channel device generating weak current pulses in predetermined firing bursts of 2 to 9 pulses. The amplitude of each current pulse was below 1000µA. Current intensity was individually adjusted according to how well patients perceived phosphenes, i.e. any sensation of flickering light in response to the rtACS stimulation.

Also known as: EBS Alpha Synch
rtACS (Verum condition)

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 70 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • patients with optic nerve lesion
  • stable visual field defect with residual vision
  • lesion age at least 6 months

You may not qualify if:

  • heart pacemakers and any metal artefacts in head and truncus
  • epileptic seizure within the last 3 years
  • photosensitive epilepsy as determined by EEG
  • mental diseases (schizophrenia etc.)
  • unstable diabetes, diabetes causing diabetic retinopathy
  • macular degeneration, maculopathy with decimal visual acuity below 0.4
  • high blood pressure
  • instable or high level of intraocular pressure (i.e. \>27 mmHg)
  • presence of an un-operated tumor anywhere in the body
  • total blindness
  • primary or secondary glaucoma
  • pathological nystagmus

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Institute of Medical Psychology

Magdeburg, 39120, Germany

Location

Related Publications (1)

  • Sabel BA, Fedorov AB, Naue N, Borrmann A, Herrmann C, Gall C. Non-invasive alternating current stimulation improves vision in optic neuropathy. Restor Neurol Neurosci. 2011;29(6):493-505. doi: 10.3233/RNN-2011-0624.

Related Links

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Optic Nerve DiseasesOptic Nerve Injuries

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Cranial Nerve DiseasesNervous System DiseasesEye DiseasesCranial Nerve InjuriesCraniocerebral TraumaTrauma, Nervous SystemWounds and Injuries

Results Point of Contact

Title
Prof. Bernhard A. Sabel
Organization
Otto-von-Guericke University of Magdeburg, Medical Faculty, Institute of Medical Psychology, Magdeburg, Germany

Study Officials

  • Bernhard A Sabel, PhD

    University of Magdeburg

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Publication Agreements

PI is Sponsor Employee
No
Restrictive Agreement
No

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
DOUBLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Study leader

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

January 3, 2011

First Posted

January 5, 2011

Study Start

November 1, 2006

Primary Completion

December 1, 2010

Study Completion

December 1, 2010

Last Updated

November 9, 2020

Results First Posted

September 4, 2013

Record last verified: 2013-12

Locations