NCT01977521

Brief Summary

The present study aims to examine the efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation on the severity of auditory hallucinations.

Trial Health

43
At Risk

Trial Health Score

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

Trial has exceeded expected completion date
Enrollment
62

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Apr 2014

Longer than P75 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
unknown

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

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

October 30, 2013

Completed
7 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

November 6, 2013

Completed
5 months until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

April 1, 2014

Completed
3.8 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

February 1, 2018

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

February 1, 2018

Completed
Last Updated

May 3, 2017

Status Verified

May 1, 2017

Enrollment Period

3.8 years

First QC Date

October 30, 2013

Last Update Submit

May 2, 2017

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Total score of the Auditory Hallucination Rating Scale (AHRS) questionnaire

    The primary outcome is the change in the severity of the hallucinations before and after the treatment, as experienced by the participant, measured with the Auditory Hallucination Rating Scale (AHRS)

    4 years

Secondary Outcomes (8)

  • Changes in severity of hallucinations as assessed by the hallucination change scale (HCS)questionnaire

    4 years

  • Changes of positive, negative and disorganized symptomatology as assessed by the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS)

    4 years

  • Severity of psychotic symptoms will be measured by the questionnaire for psychotic symptoms (QPS)

    4 years

  • Prior expectations regarding the efficacy of the treatment of the participants

    4 years

  • Strength of the motor threshold as assessed using TMS

    4 years

  • +3 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (2)

Treatment

EXPERIMENTAL

transcranial direct current stimulation (2mA)

Device: Eldith DC Stimulator stimulation

Sham

SHAM COMPARATOR

Sham stimulation

Device: Eldith DC Stimulator sham stimulation

Interventions

The anodal electrode will be placed with the middle of the electrode over a point midway between F3 and FP1 (left prefrontal cortex: dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the cathodal electrode located over a point midway between T3 and P3 (left temporo-parietal junction). Stimulation will consist of 2 mA for 20 minutes per session.

Treatment

The anodal electrode will be placed with the middle of the electrode over a point midway between F3 and FP1 (left prefrontal cortex: dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the cathodal electrode located over a point midway between T3 and P3 (left temporo-parietal junction). In the sham condition, after 40 seconds of real stimulation (2 mA), only a small current pulse will occur every 550 msec (110 mA over 15 msec) through the remainder of the 20-minute period.

Sham

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

  • Age over 18.
  • Frequent auditory hallucinations (at least 5 times a week).
  • Patients are on a stable dose of antipsychotic medication (which can also be zero) for at least 2 weeks
  • Mentally competent for informed consent.
  • Provided informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

  • Metal objects in or around the head that cannot be removed (i.e. cochlear implant, surgical clips, piercing)
  • History of seizures, or a history of seizures in first-degree relatives.
  • History of eye trauma with a metal object or professional metal workers
  • History of brain surgery, brain infarction, head trauma, cerebrovascular accident, broken skull, brain tumour, heart disease, cardiac pacemaker.
  • Skin disease on the scalp on the position of the tDCS electrodes
  • Coercive treatment based on a judicial ruling
  • Pregnancy in female patients

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

UMC

Utrecht, 3584 CX, Netherlands

RECRUITING

Related Publications (1)

  • Koops S, Blom JD, Bouachmir O, Slot MI, Neggers B, Sommer IE. Treating auditory hallucinations with transcranial direct current stimulation in a double-blind, randomized trial. Schizophr Res. 2018 Nov;201:329-336. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2018.06.010. Epub 2018 Jun 20.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Psychotic DisordersMood DisordersPersonality DisordersStress Disorders, Post-TraumaticHearing Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic DisordersMental DisordersStress Disorders, TraumaticTrauma and Stressor Related DisordersEar DiseasesOtorhinolaryngologic DiseasesSensation DisordersNeurologic ManifestationsNervous System DiseasesSigns and SymptomsPathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

  • Iris Sommer, PhD

    UMC Utrecht

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Iris Sommer, PhD

CONTACT

Sanne Koops, MSc

CONTACT

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
TRIPLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Professor, Psychiatrist

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

October 30, 2013

First Posted

November 6, 2013

Study Start

April 1, 2014

Primary Completion

February 1, 2018

Study Completion

February 1, 2018

Last Updated

May 3, 2017

Record last verified: 2017-05

Locations